Register to vote

It is important to register to vote as every day, vital decisions affecting all our lives are taken by members of parliament and local councillors elected by the people.

You can help choose them by voting. If you don't register, you won't be able to vote, and you will lose your chance to influence the way things are run in Charnwood, Leicestershire and the United Kingdom.

You can register to vote from the age of 16 although you will not be able to vote until you are 18.

You don’t need to register to vote before every election.

To register to vote online, you need just five minutes. If you require help registering, you can contact our Customer Service team by calling 01509 634546 or contact Electoral Services to request a paper registration form.

Not being registered may negatively impact applications for mortgages, credit cards, store cards, overdrafts or mobile phone contracts as credit reference agencies use the electoral register to validate applications.

Moved House or Changed Your Name?

If you have moved house, you need to register to vote again. Paying Council Tax will not automatically register you to vote. Electoral registration is separate from other parts of the council.

If you change your name for any reason, you can either contact Electoral Services and request a change of name form or register to vote again.

Am I already registered?

If you're not sure if you have already registered to vote, you can contact Electoral Services to find out.

Electoral registration is separate from other parts of the council.

What if I have more than one address

If you split your time between two homes, you may be able to register to vote at both addresses. For example, you might own two properties and split your time between them, or you might spend time at different family addresses.

If you apply to register to vote from your second home, then your application will be looked at on a case by case basis. The outcome will depend on the amount of time you spend at each of your addresses.

Being registered at two addresses doesn't necessarily mean you get two votes.

You will need to choose one address and vote in only that area when you're voting in:

UK Parliament elections
UK referendums
London Assembly and London Mayoral elections

You can't vote at both addresses at these elections. Voting in more than one location is a criminal offence.

For other elections you can vote at both addresses.

You can choose to vote in either or both areas (as long as the addresses are in different council areas) when you're voting in:

Local council elections in England
Police and Crime commissioner elections and mayoral elections

Make sure you understand the rules for the election you are voting in.

Other registration options

There are other options for registering to vote. Click on a link below to find out more:

Last updated: Thu 25th April, 2024 @ 15:22