What is the Electoral Register?
The electoral register is a list of everyone entitled to vote in Preston. The register is published annually on 1st December and it is important that you register every year to ensure you get your vote. A canvass is carried out annually and you will receive a registration form each autumn from the council. The register includes every house, flat and bed-sit. Homeless persons are also entitled to register. If you have not received a form or mislaid it, you should contact us directly. It is an offence not to supply the information required, or to give false information. The maximum fine is £1000
Rolling registration
Rolling registration enables the register to be updated once a month. This means that residents can register at their new address when they move house. Forms are available from Electoral Services or by clicking on the link at the bottom of the page.
Who has access to the register?
The full register is available for public inspection at the Town Hall or the Harris Reference Library. A member of the public can only inspect the register in person under supervision.
Banks, building societies and credit reference agencies use the full version of the Electoral Register to check proof of residence. If residents are not on the register they may be refused credit facilities.
The edited register is available for anybody to purchase for any purpose.
What is the difference between the full and edited versions of the register?
There are two versions of the Electoral Register - the full register and the edited register.
The full register has restricted access and can only be used for specific purposes e.g. electoral, law enforcement and credit references agencies.
The edited register is on general sale and can be used for any purpose.
Although your details do have to be included on the full register, you do not have to be included on the edited register. If you wish your name to be excluded for the edited register you must tick the box on the application form to say you wish to opt out of the edited register.
Document links
| Document downloads | File Size |
| Adobe Acrobat Reader is available FREE of charge. You can download it directly from Adobe's website by clicking the link to the right. Once on Adobe's website, follow the instructions on screen to install the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader. |  |
| Voter Registration Form (PDF) | 44KB |