Registering to vote
You need to be on the electoral register to be able to vote in local and national elections and referendums. Each individual is responsible for their own registration.
You can register to vote if you're:
- 16 or older - although you can't vote until you're 18
- a British citizen, qualifying Commonwealth, Irish or other European Union citizen living in the UK
The easiest way to register is online. You'll need to give your name, address, date of birth and national insurance number.
You can register to vote online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.
Overseas Voters
If you are a UK citizen living abroad, you can apply to be an overseas voter.
You must have been registered to vote as a resident in the UK in the last 15 years and be eligible to vote in UK Parliamentary general elections.
If you were too young to register when you left the UK, you can still register as an overseas voter. You can do this if your parent or guardian was registered to vote in the UK, as long as you left the UK no more than 15 years ago.
Adults with Disabilities
Residents with learning difficulties, physical disabilities and/or sensory impairments can be assisted to complete an online registration form by a:
- relative
- friend
- or carer
You can register to vote online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.
In certain circumstances the Electoral Services Team can assist residents to register over the phone.
Call 0345 129 4851 with your:
- National Insurance number
- Date of birth
Step-by-Step Easy Read Guide to Registering to Vote [489KB]
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