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Register of Electors
What is the Register of Electors?
The Register of Electors is compiled and published by the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) in all local authorities on 1 December each year. It is a list of people who are eligible to vote. The Rolling Register, introduced 16 February 2001, enables people to register to vote as and when they change address.
What does the Register look like?
The Register is published in address order. The roads are shown in alphabetical order and in each road the names of eligible electors are shown against the house number. It does not give titles such as Mr., Ms. etc. It does not show telephone numbers or ages, other than those electors who will reach voting age during the currency of that Register.
Where can I see the Register?
The Register of Electors is available for public inspection at public libraries, Waltham Forest Town Hall, Walthamstow and information points at Waltham Forest Direct Shops at Leyton and Walthamstow.
The Annual Electoral canvass
When is it held?
The Register, published on 1 December, is compiled using information from registration forms issued to every residential property in August. This includes every house, flat, bedsit, houseboat and caravan. Homeless persons are also entitled to register.
Duty to supply the information required
It is an offence not to give the ERO the information required, or to give false information. The maximum fine is £1000.
Who should be included on the Registration Form?
All British, Irish or Commonwealth Citizens and all Citizens of European Union States: Be sure to include:
- Lodgers or people staying at the address who have no other home.
- Everyone who is aged 16 or over. (16 or 17 year olds can vote as soon as they are 18). Include their date of birth.
- Anyone who normally lives at the address but is away temporarily. This includes people in hospital, students, anyone on holiday or working away for less than 6 months.
What if my name is missing from the Register?
If you cannot find your name on the Register, or if you have recently moved into the borough, you can complete an Electoral Registration Form. This asks for details of your full name, your present address and when you started living there, and your old address. Please note this is not an on-line form. You will need to print the form out, complete it and send it to the address shown below. A separate form needs to be completed by each person who must sign his or her own form.
Electoral Services will issue a monthly update, called a "List of Alterations". These will be published every month except, October, and November. The December list is the next full Register of Electors.
When we receive your form, and if everything is in order, your name will be shown in the List of Alterations. The relevant dates are:
| Deadline for receipt of applications | Effective date added to Register |
|---|---|
| Tuesday 11th December 2007 | Wednesday 2nd January 2008 |
| Thursday 10th January 2008 | Friday 1st Febuary 2008 |
| Friday 8th Feburay 2008 | Monday 3rd March 2008 |
| Monday 10th March 2008 | Wednesday 1st April 2008 |
| Wednesday 9th April 2008 | Thursday 1st May 2008 |
| Friday 9th May 2008 | Monday 2nd June 2008 |
| Monday 9th June 2008 | Tuesday 1st July 2008 |
| Thursday 10th July 2008 | Friday 1st August 2008 |
| Friday 8th August 2008 | Monday 1st September 2008 |
| September 2008 | Annual Canvass |
| October 2008 | Annual Canvass |
| November 2008 | Annual Canvass |
The list of alterations is published at the beginning of each month up until September. Applications received after the August deadline will be included on the next published register in December.
You will be sent an acknowledgement from the ERO when you have been added to the Register.
What about credit ratings
The Register of Electors can be purchased by Credit Reference Agencies, who can use the information for credit checking purposes. If you are not on the Register of Electors and should be, you are likely to experience difficulties in obtaining access to credit / or other financial services.
Two Versions of the Register
The Full Register
The full register has the names and addresses of everyone registered to vote and is updated every month. Anyone can look at it, but copies can only be supplied for certain purposes, such as elections and law enforcement. Credit reference agencies are also allowed to use the full register, but only to check your name and address, if you are applying for credit, and to help stop 'money laundering'. Anyone who has a copy of the register will be committing a criminal offence if they unlawfully pass on information from it. You do not have a choice about your name being on this register.
The Edited Register
The edited register will be available for general sale and can be used for any purpose. You can choose not to be on it. It will be kept separate from the full register and updated every month. The edited register can be bought by any person, company or organisation and could be used for different purposes such as checking your identity and commercial activities such as marketing.
If you tick the opt out box on the voter registration form, your name and address will only appear on the full register, which will only be used for certain lawful purposes, such as elections, law enforcement and checking applications for credit.
How can I vote by Post?
You can also apply to vote by post.
Postal Vote Application Form (DOC)
Postal Vote Application Form (PDF)
The deadline for receipt of completed applications is 5 pm, 11 working days before polling day.
What is a Proxy Vote?
A proxy is someone you appoint to vote on your behalf if you are unable to do so at a specific election.
You can download an Application Form for a Proxy Vote from this website, but because of the complexity of proxy votes, please contact Electoral Services for advice before completing the form.
The deadline for receipt of completed applications is 5 pm, 6 working days before polling day.
Contact us
If you would like more information, or want to discuss anything about Electoral Registration and registering to vote, please contact us at:
Electoral Services
London Borough of Waltham Forest
Waltham Forest Town Hall
Forest Road
Walthamstow
London E17 4JF
Email electoral.services@walthamforest.gov.uk
Tel:
020 8496 4562
020 8496 4433
020 8496 4223
Fax :020 8523 4588
Our opening hours are :
Monday to Thursday 9am-5.15pm,
Friday 9am-5pm
