Register to vote
Registering to vote means you can have your say in future elections in Leicester.
Who can register?
To register to vote, you must be:
- a UK or Irish citizen
- a qualifying Commonwealth citizen living in the UK
- an EU citizen living in the UK
- aged 16 or over (but you can’t vote until you’re 18 years old)
How do I register?
If you are not already registered to vote, use the link below to to register:
If you can't get online, you can call us on 0116 454 2000.
Why should I register?
It is a legal requirement to register to vote. It also enables you to have your say and take part in the democratic process, which decides how the city and the country is run.
Your credit rating may be affected if you're not on the electoral register, which might affect your ability to get a mortgage, loan or mobile phone contract.
Students, overseas voters and service voters
Voting arrangements are different for students, overseas voters and service voters.
- During the local government elections, students can vote both at their home and term-time address if they wish, providing the addresses are not in the same local government area
- Any British citizen living overseas can vote in the UK for 15 years after they were last on the electoral register. You can vote in general elections, referendums and European elections, but you will not be allowed to vote in local or mayoral elections
- Members of the armed forces can register as a service voter if they live at a British Forces Post Office address, or are stationed overseas. Registration is valid for five years, and we will write to you before the application runs out so you can renew your declaration.
Registering anonymously
If you are concerned about your safety, you may be able to register anonymously so your details won't appear on the electoral register.
You should contact us to find out if you are entitled to register anonymously.
How do I know if I’m registered?
Incorrect information?
We are writing to all households across the city with a list of everyone who we have registered to vote at that address.
If some or all of the people listed on your letter no longer live at the address, you can tell us by filling in the electoral services - notification of leaving form.
Elections in Leicester
The two main elections which affect the decisions taken in Leicester are the local government elections, and the city mayor election, which both take place every four years. These choose our 54 councillors, and our elected mayor.
City residents can also vote in the UK parliamentary elections – better known as a general election – which have to be held at least every five years, and choose Leicester’s three members of parliament (MPs).