Elections - FAQ's
Summary
Frequently asked questions in relation to elections and electoral registration
Downloads
- Commonwealth Countries (PDF, 3KB)
- British Dependent Territories (PDF, 3KB)
- European Union Citizens (PDF, 3KB)
Printable forms
Further information
What is the Electoral Register?
The electoral register is the list of everyone who is registered to vote in a council area. You must be on the electoral register to vote at elections, and not being on the register can also affect your credit rating. You are not automatically registered, even if you pay council tax.
Electoral registration takes place on a local basis by each local council electoral registration office, and the electoral register is updated on a monthly basis, except between August and November when councils perform an annual canvass of their area.
There are two versions of the register - the full version and the edited version. Your details will appear on the full version of the register, but you can choose whether or not your details appear on the edited register by ticking the 'opt out' box on your registration form. The full register is used for elections, preventing and detecting crime, and checking applications for credit. The edited register is available for general sale and can be used for commercial activities such as marketing.
Only citizens who are on the Register can vote in elections. See the Electoral Register link below for more information
Am I registered to Vote?
To find out if you are registered to vote, telephone Electoral Services on the number below . You may also check the current Register at the Council Offices, Blaby Joint Service Shop or by emailing the address below.
How can I register to vote?
You can register to vote at anytime during the year by filling out a rolling registration from which you can download from the link above. You will then need to send the completed form to Electoral Services at the address at the bottom of the page.
What to do if I move?
The Register of Electors is not automatically updated when you notify the Council Tax section. Unfortunately we are not able to transfer this information.
To amend your details you need to complete a claim for inclusion on the Register of Electors form.
To obtain this form please visit the link above
Why should I register?
You cannot vote if you are not registered.
The Register of Electors is also used by credit referencing companies when checking if a person has a good credit rating. If you are not listed on the Register, you may have difficulty opening a bank account, applying for a loan, credit card or mortgage.
The Register of Electors is also used to call people for Jury Service. There is evidence that fewer young people and people from ethnic minorities register to vote with the result that they are under-represented in the judicial system.
Can anyone register to vote?
If you are a British, Irish, or a Commonwealth Citizen or are a citizen of a member state of the European Union you can register to vote. You must be 18 years old to vote but 16/17 years olds should register so they can vote as soon as they are 18.
How do I know when to vote?
A short time before every election, every elector is sent a poll card which gives information about when the election is to take place and where each elector's polling station is located.
You do not need to take your Poll card with you to be able to vote, however, it is quicker if you have the card with you.
What if I am unable to get to a polling station?
If you are unable to get to your polling station on election day, you may apply for a postal vote, see related pages below.
Alternatively, if you are unable to get to your polling station and are not able to have a postal vote then you can apply for a proxy vote, see related pages below. A proxy is someone who can go to the polling station and vote on your behalf.
More information on these different ways of voting can be found by following the links below, together with the appropriate forms.
Related pages on this website
Contact us
| Officer / Team | Electoral Services |
|---|---|
| Postal address | Blaby District Council Council Offices Desford Road Narborough Leicester LE19 2EP |
| E-mail address | electoral@blaby.gov.uk |
| Telephone | 0116 272 7560 |
| Fax | 0116 272 7596 |
If you need this information in other languages or formats (large print, Braille or audio), please let us know when you contact us.
This page was last updated on 30th July 2009
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