Registering To Vote

Want to vote in future elections happening in Leicester? Join our Electoral Register.

It's easy and we can help:

• How do I register to vote?

• Why should I register?

• Other reasons to be registered

• How can I check I'm registered?

• Rolling registration

• Annual canvass

• Versions of voters' lists.

How do I register to vote?

There are two ways you can register to vote:

• Rolling registration from January to September
• Annual canvass during October to December.

There are also special arrangements for students, overseas voters and armed forces voters. 

Why should I register?

Voting is your opportunity to take part in democracy and have your say on a local and national level.   

All decisions made by the council and central government can affect you and how you use our services. When you're registered, you can vote for someone to represent you and your community when those decisions are made.

Other reasons to be registered

Your credit rating may be affected if you're not on the electoral register. This might  affect you getting a mortgage, loan or mobile phone contract.

Even if you're registered to vote, you're must return your voter registration form every year. If you don't, this could result in a fine of up to £1000.

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How can I check I'm registered?

It's simple, just get in touch.

Call us: 0116 252 7110 
Fax us: 0116 254 5396
E-mail us: electoral.services@leicester.gov.uk

Write to us:
Electoral Services 
Mezzanine Floor

A Block

New Walk Centre

Welford Place 
Leicester
LE1 6ZG

See us in person:
Our offices are open from 8.30am to 5pm on Monday to Thursday; and 8.30am to 4.30pm on Fridays (except Bank Holidays).

You can also see our full register at Bishop Street Central Library. 

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Rolling Registration

You can register to vote throughout the year. You can request forms calling us on 0116 252 7110. Or email us at electoral.services@leicester.gov.uk.

After we get your form, we'll add you to our new applications list. Any elector can  object to your name being added to our voters List. If this happens, we will write to let you know.

If your application is accepted, we'll change your details within three to seven weeks of receiving your paperwork, as per the table below. We also confirm this by post.

If you now live in Leicestershire, you must register with your new local authority.

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Annual canvass

During August and October every year, we send out registration forms to every household asking for details of everyone aged 16 years and over, living at that address on 15th October.

When you get your form, please check all the information. If this is all accurate, please re-confirm your details using the instructions on our paperwork. Or send your form back to our address above.

If the information is incorrect, add your new details then return your amended form by post.

Your details

Names and addresses of all registered voters are available to a range of public bodies and elected representatives. It's possible for anyone to purchase a copy of this register. For more details on the types of register, please see below. 

Residence

People can only register for the address where they are living. If you change your address, you must re-register soon as you move.

Citizenship and nationality 

Only British, Commonwealth, Irish and European Union citizens are allowed to vote.

The list of countries whose citizens are allowed to vote is below. If your country is not listed below, you can't vote (even if you are allowed to live in this country).

If you need advice or help, call us on 0116 252 7110.

British Dependent Territories, including Bermuda, Falkland Islands and Gibraltar.

European Union Countries (not for UK parliamentary elections):

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Versions of voters' lists

Our Electoral Registration officers maintain two versions of the voters list: a full and edited version.

Full voters list

The full version lists everyone who is entitled to vote.

The law says who can access this and what the information can be used for. This includes electoral purposes, crime prevention and detection, and credit checking purposes.

It is a criminal offence for organisations to pass this information to anyone else or to use it for any other purpose. 

Edited voters list

The edited version leaves out the names and addresses of people who've asked to be excluded. It can be bought by anyone, and used for any purpose. For example, marketing companies may use this information to send you details on goods and services.

You must tell us, if you do not want all your details on our edited list. Tick the "opt-out" box on your voter registration form before you return this.

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See Also:

How to vote

Elections in Leicester