The Electoral Register - Information for Electors

     

The Electoral Commission has prepared a useful site for voters in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to find out ‘about their vote’.

www.aboutmyvote.co.uk

The website has been designed to help you find out everything you need to know to get involved, including: which elections are happening in your area, what the different democratic institutions do, how to go about registering to vote, and how to vote by post.

What is the electoral register?

The electoral register is a list compiled by the Council of everyone who has registered to vote in the Shepway District. The Electoral Registration Officer has a statutory duty to compile the Register and keep it up-to-date by carrying out an annual canvass of households.

By law, the Council has to make the register available for anyone to look at. There are two versions of the register - the full register and the edited register.  The full register can only be viewed at the Civic Centre, Folkestone, under supervison.  The edited register can be viewed at the One Stop Shops in Lydd, New Romney and Hythe and also at the Civic Centre, Folkestone.  You can choose not to have your name included in the edited register and it is available for general sale.

Who can register?

You must be:-

• 18 or over (or will reach the age of 18 by 1 December of the following year)
• A UK, Republic of Ireland or qualifying Commonwealth citizen 
• A citizen of a European Union Country living in the UK
• A citizen of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or a British Overseas Territory living in the UK

To qualify, Commonwealth citizens must live in the UK and either have leave to remain, or not require such leave.

Citizens of EU member states other than British or Irish are only eligible to vote in local government elections. 

To view a list of qualifying countries click the link below:  

 qualifying countries  

How do I get onto the register?

Every autumn, the Electoral Registration Officer will deliver a registration form to every household in Shepway. When you receive the household registration form, you should amend any details as necessary and return it in accordance with the instructions on the form. Do not forget to indicate whether persons in your household want to be included in the edited version of the register (the one available for sale to other persons).

If your registration details remain the same and your preprinted details do not need to be changed, you can respond by registering via the internet or by telephone.  Please refer to the form for further details.

This is not the only time you can register. At any time during the year between December and August, an individual may apply to be added or to have their address details altered. This may be as a result of that individual moving home.

You should note, however, that in the run up to an election, you will only be able to vote if your name has been added to the register before the last day for the delivery of candidates’ nomination papers for that election.

What if I have been missed off the register?

You should download an application form or ring the electoral registration office for a form.

Application Registration Form
(Print, fill out, sign and then post back to us)

Completed forms must be sent to:

Electoral Services
Shepway District Council
Civic Centre
Castle Hill Avenue
Folkestone, CT20 2QY

How long does it take to go onto the register?

Your application must be received by the Electoral Services office by a cut off date each month.  Applications received on or before the cut off date will be included on the register on the first working day of the following month. 

For application dates please clink on the link below:

registration dates

How does the electoral register relate to council tax?

It doesn't.  The Council Tax register is quite separate, so paying council tax does not mean that you will automatically be on the electoral register.

Unable to vote in person?

Voting by post - Anyone can apply for a postal vote at any election.  If, for example, you will be away from home when an election takes place, or if you are unable to attend the polling station for any reason.  You will need to complete an application form which requires you to supply your date of birth and signature.  Your ballot paper will be sent to you about 10 days before the election. 

For Absent Vote Form
(Print, fill out, sign and then post back to us)

Voting by proxy - If you are unable to attend the polling station on election day, you may wish to appoint someone to vote on your behalf.

For  Proxy Vote Form
(Print, fill out, sign and then post back to us)

Completed forms must be sent to:

Electoral Services
Shepway District Council
Civic Centre
Castle Hill Avenue
Folkestone, CT20 2QY

For further information on postal and proxy voting use the menu on the left.

If you require help please ring Electoral Services on the Electoral Registration helpline 01303 853497 or contact us online Elections General Enquiry