Electoral Register
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DON'T LOSE YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE IN ANY FORTHCOMING ELECTIONS
What is the Electoral Register?
The Electoral Register is a record of everyone who lives within a borough and is eligible to vote. To keep our records as up to date as possible we send registration forms out to every property in the Autumn of each year. The names of all citizens who are 18 years old or over, British, Commonwealth, Irish or European must be included on the form. The full 2008 register can be viewed at The Council Offices, Southfield Road, Loughborough.
The Electoral Registration Officer makes and keeps two versions of the electoral register; the full register and the edited register.
The full register lists everyone who is entitled to vote. You can check it by calling at the Council Offices. Only certain people can use it for specified purposes. These include electoral purposes, the prevention and detection of crime and checking your identity when you have applied for credit. The law says who can have a copy of the full register and what they can use it for. It is a criminal offence for them to pass it on to anyone else or to use it for any other purpose.
The edited register leaves out the name and address of people who have asked for them to be excluded from that version of the register. It can be bought by anyone who asks for a copy and they may use it for any purpose.
If you are not on the Electoral Register you cannot exercise your democratic right to vote in any election. Also, you may not be able to open a bank account or get credit.
How do I get on the Electoral Register?
Between 1st September and 1st December each year an annual audit of the Register takes place and a form is automatically sent to every property in the Borough. The law requires occupiers, owners or householders to give the information requested. There are three different ways for people to return or update their forms.
These are:
- If you are happy with the information on the canvass form, you can confirm your details by using the FREE and secure telephone or internet service. You will find your own unique reference number on the top right hand side of the form and should enter this number when prompted after calling 0800 197 9885
- Alternatively, if you do not wish to make any changes to the form, log on to the secure internet service –www.registerbyinternet.com/charnwood - and follow the onscreen instructions to confirm your instructions to confirm your details.
- If you need to change any details other than the opt out option, or wish to apply for a postal vote, clearly mark or amend the form and then return it by post to Charnwood Borough Council, Southfield Road, Loughborough Leicestershire LE11 2TR.
Outside of this period Rolling Registration means that you can now add your name to the Register of Electors throughout the year. To do this you must complete a claim form. To obtain a form you can either contact Electoral Services or come into The Council Offices, Southfield Road, Loughborough in person.
Alternatively, you can print a copy of the electoral registration form, fill it in, sign it and return it to the address shown on the form. Please note that we can only accept forms electronically that have been signed by hand. To do this you must have access to a scanner. You can also use the form to notify the Elections Office of a change of name or address. Please read the notes below and on the registration form before completing.
If your previous address was not within Charnwood Borough please provide proof of occupancy of your new address i.e. original copy of bank statement or services bill with your name(s) and new address on.
Household Registration Form 2009 (Word Document 68 Kb.)
How often is the register updated?
The register is updated on a monthly basis, except at the annual update period between September and December where all properties in Charnwood are contacted.
It is against the law for households not to complete and return the annual electoral registration form. There is a maximum fine of £1,000 for any false information given on a registration form.
Can I trace friends/relatives using the Electoral Register?
If you know where a friend/relative lives we can confirm whether or not they are registered there. However, if you only have a name and no address we cannot give out these details over the telephone. The register is a public document and can be viewed on demand. The 2006 register can be viewed in full at The Council Offices, Southfield Road, Loughborough.
Certificate of Inclusion in the Electoral Register
The Electoral Services Section can provide you with a certificate to show that you are included on the Electoral Register at a specific address.
The Certificate takes the form of a letter confirming that the person(s) named on the Certificate is/are on the register at the stated address for the specified period. A certificate can only be produced for the person registered at that address, not a third party.
Please contact the Electoral Services Section first to confirm that you are/were shown on the Register for the period(s) the Certificate is to cover.
The cost for this service is £10 for one year and a further £2.50 for each additional year, so 4 years would cost £17.50, for example.