The electoral register and the 'open register'
Get on the electoral register
The electoral register (sometimes called the ‘electoral roll’) lists the names and addresses of everyone who’s registered to vote.
Use the register to vote service to get on the electoral register.
To update your details (for example change your name or address) you should either:
- use the register to vote service if you live in the UK
- contact the Electoral Registration Office that confirmed you are registered as an overseas voter if you live abroad
To check whether you’re already on the register, contact:
- your local Electoral Registration Office if you live in England, Scotland or Wales
- the Electoral Office for Northern Ireland (EONI) if you live in Northern Ireland
What happens if you do not register
You must register to vote if you’re asked to do so and you meet the conditions for registering, for example you’re 16 or over and you’re British or a national of an EU or Commonwealth country.
If you’re asked to register and do not, you could be fined.
You will not be fined if you have a valid reason for not registering, for example a long stay in hospital, or you have severe learning difficulties.
When you can register in more than one place
It’s sometimes possible to register at 2 addresses (though you can only vote once in any election).
For example, if you’re a student with different home and term-time addresses, you may be able to register at both.
Register to vote twice if you live at 2 addresses.
The annual canvass
From July each year Electoral Registration Offices (EROs) contact households to check if the details on the electoral register are correct. This is called the annual canvass.
You will be contacted by post, email, phone or by someone knocking on your door.