Elections - Electoral Register

A recent change to the law now means that you can add your name to the register of electors at any time throughout the year.

If you do not register then you cannot exercise your democratic right to vote in any election. It is also much harder to obtain credit if you are not on the Register.

You can check the Electoral Register at Hackney Town Hall and at your local library.  

Complete back files are held at Rose Lipman library, De Beauvoir Road, N1 or at the Town Hall. Alternatively you can contact the Electoral Registration Office on 020 8356 3233/3313/3234 who will check the register for you.

If you are not on the published register, all you need to do is complete the Electoral Registration Form on the right. You need to sign your own form - someone else cannot do it for you.

When you send us your completed, signed form we will add you to our list of new applications. Any elector can then object to your name being added to the register. If this happens we will write to you.

If your application is not objected to, we will change your details within four to six weeks of receiving your form. We will write to tell you when your application is allowed.

There are special rules about names being added to the voters list during an election period. Because of these you may not be able to vote at that election if you are added during this time.

Register to Vote

You can only vote in elections if your name is on the register of electors. We update the register every autumn but we can also add names throughout the year.

Moved home? Coming up to 18? Not on the Register?

All you have to do is fill in a voter registration form.

When you send us your form, we will add you to our list of new applications. Any elector can then object to your name being added to the register. If this happens we will write to you.

If your application is not objected to, we will change your details within 7 weeks of receiving your form. We will write to tell you when your application is allowed.

If you wish to register, contact Electoral Services. The return address and fax-back number are on the form and also with our contact details below.

We will also tell the Electoral Registration Officer for your old address that you have moved, so that your name can be removed from that register. People who live at two homes (including students) are allowed to register at both. If you do not want to be removed from your other address please explain why on your form.

There are special rules about names being added to the voters list during an election period. Because of these you may not be able to vote at that election if you are added during this time.

The Two Versions of the Register

The electoral registration officer makes and keeps two versions of the electoral register - the full register and the edited register.

The full register

This lists everyone who is entitled to vote. You can check it by calling at the Council offices or at some local libraries. Only certain people and organisations can have copies of the full register and they can only 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. The full list of such persons and purposes is given in the Representation of the People (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2002. 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

This leaves out the names and addresses of people who asked for them to be excluded from that version of the register. The edited register can be bought by anyone who asks for a copy and they may use it for any purpose.

How to get in touch with us:

Telephone Helpline: 020 8356 3313/3233/3234
Fax back: 020 8356 3266

Post to:
Electoral Services
London Borough of Hackney
Town Hall
Mare Street
London E8 1EA

Click here for more information on Registrars, including opening times and accessibility.

Back to top

Page updated: 21 Feb 2008