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- Elections - voting
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Elections - Electoral Register
The register of electors is a list of the names and addresses of everyone who is registered to vote.
A canvass of all properties takes place from September to December. A register is then published on the 1 December. People can also be added to the register upon request between December and September.
The Role of Electoral Services
Our aim for Electoral Registration is to achieve the highest proportion of registered electors as possible resulting in an accurate and up to date Register that meets the requirements of legislation.
We do this by:-
Conducting a thorough annual canvass maximising voter registration
Appointing trained Canvassers to carry out an effective personal canvass
Assisting with registration of voters during the year.
Why Register?
If you don't register, you can't vote! It's as simple as that. To vote in any UK elections, you have to be on the electoral register.
It's easier than you think! It's as simple as filling in your name, address and a few other details on the Application Form Opens in a new window, then you just need to sign it, and send it to the address below.
It gives you a say on who runs the country, who sits on your County, District and Parish Councils, and who represents you in Europe. Candidates will be selected to represent you whether you vote or not, so if you're registered, you'll have the chance to have a say on who represents you by voting. Some people are quick to complain when they disagree with politicians, but if you don't register and don't vote, you'll never change anything.
Across the world people have died fighting for the right to vote and be part of a democracy. By registering to vote you'll be showing that you think that right is important. Think about it this way, in the UK, less than 100 years ago, people were killed during their struggles to get the vote for women. In South Africa, not until the end of apartheid in 1994 were black people able to vote for the first time. Today, many people across the world are still denied the right to vote.
How to Register
You can be included on the electoral register by completing an Application Form Opens in a new window and sending it to the address below. A letter will be posted to you confirming you have been included on the electoral register. The table below shows the monthly alteration dates to the register since the publication of the Register of Electors on 1 December 2009. After 10 August the annual canvass will start.
| Form received by | Date added to the register |
|---|---|
| 8 January 2010 | 1 February 2010 |
| 5 February 2010 | 1 March 2010 |
| 10 March 2010 | 1 April 2010 |
| 12 April 2010 | 4 May 2010 (no election) |
| 20 April 2010 | 28 April 2010 (election on 6 May) |
| 10 May 2010 | 1 June 2010 |
| 9 June 2010 | 1 July 2010 |
| 9 July 2010 | 2 August 2010 |
| 10 August 2010 | 1 September 2010 |
The Annual Canvass
Between August and December each year we collect the information we need to publish a revised electoral register. Each house in the district should receive a form. The new electoral register is then published on 1st December, staying in force for the following 12 months.
Each year, by law, the Electoral Registration Officer has to prepare new and accurate voters list. The only way we can collect the information required is by sending a new electoral registration form to every household. Other council records are not used, for instance you may be registered for council tax, but this does not put you on the electoral register.
When is the annual canvass?
- Registration forms are sent to every property in August
- September, a reminder form will be sent to every household that has not responded
- October and November, electoral registration canvassers will conduct door to door enquiries. They will visit all non responding properties to help get everyone registered to vote
What do I need to do?
- Every household must return a completed registration form as soon as possible
- Make sure every eligible voter at your address appears on this form
- If you are not on the register you may find it difficult obtaining credit for a loan or mortgage
- Failure to return the form could lead to a fine of up to £1,000
Changes to your details on the canvass form
Printed on the forms will be the details of those electors currently registered to vote at that address. Residents are required to update the details shown on the form if there are any changes, crossing through names of any person no longer resident, amending any mistake and adding names that should be added to the electoral register. The form must then be signed and returned in the envelope provided as soon as possible.
No changes to your details on the canvass form
If there are no changes to the canvass form, we still need confirmation of this and you can confirm there are no changes to your details by signing and returning the form in the envelope provided as soon as possible.
For help and advice in completing your electoral registration form please contact the helpline on 01609 767227.
The two versions of the register
The electoral registration office compiles and keeps two versions of the electoral register - the full register and the edited register.
The full register lists the name and address of everyone who is registered to vote. Anyone can look at it, but it is a criminal offence to supply or use copies for purposes other than those set down in law. You can find more information on About my Vote Opens in a new window
The main use of the full register is to show who can vote in elections and referendums. Credit reference agencies can use it, but only to check your name and address if you are applying for credit and for other purposes specified in law for example law enforcement.
The edited register is available for general sale and can be used for any purpose. The edited register can be bought by any person, company or organisation and can be used for commercial activities such as marketing. The full Register of Electors is available for inspection by appointment at the following locations:-
| Hambleton District Council Civic Centre Stone Cross Northallerton DL6 2UU | Hambleton District Council Town Close North Road Stokesley TS9 5DH | Hambleton District Council Area Office Police Station Church Hill Easingwold York YO61 3JX |
The register is open to public inspection, under supervision. Extracts from the register may be recorded only by making hand written notes. Photocopying or electronic recording are not permitted by law. Information taken from the Register must not be used for direct marketing purposes, unless the information has been published in the edited version of the register. Anyone who fails to observe these conditions is committing a criminal offence. The penalty is a fine of up to £5000.
Buying the register of electors
Only the edited register is available for general sale, in whole or in part, and can be used for any purpose. Any requests should be made in writing enclosing the payment. Prices for the register can be found on the following link - Sale of the Register Opens in a new window
Payment methods available are:-
Credit/debit cards, Cheque, Cash (payments made in person only), Postal order
Contacting Electoral Services
Elections helplines 01609 767227
Elections Office, Hambleton District Council, Civic Centre, Stone Cross, Northallerton, DL6 2UU
Fax: 01609 768696
E-mail: elecreg@hambleton.gov.uk
Links and downloads
About my Vote Opens in a new window
Electoral Commission Opens in a new window
Sale of the Register Opens in a new window
Application to Register Opens in a new window
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