Register to vote

Please apply to register on the Gov.uk website.

Register to vote

You will need to provide your details to register, including your national insurance number and date of birth.

If you have someone registered at your address but they no longer live there, you need to contact us so we can update the register.

Each person is responsible for their own registration.

How do I register?

Registering to vote means you can vote and have your say in local and national elections. You can register online at GOV.UK - Register to vote.

Before you start make sure you have:

• National insurance number (you can find this on payslips, letters about benefits and tax returns)
• Date of birth 

Please provide a contact number or email address on your application. This information is not published, it is only used if we need to contact you about your application.

If you don't have access to the internet please contact us on 01772 906908 and we can help you to register.

You can register to vote if you're 16 or 17 (although you can't vote until you are 18).

When will my name go onto the register

The Electoral Register will update on the following statutory dates in 2024/25:

The 2024 Electoral Register will not be published on 2 December 2024 but will be published on 3 February 2025.

Completing your registration application online does not confirm that you are on the register.

You will receive a letter from us letting you know when you are registered, or we will be in touch if we need any further information.

Moved house?

You will need to register at your new address which you can apply online at GOV.UK - Register to vote. 

If you don't have access to the internet please contact us on 01772 906908 for assistance.

Open Register

There are two versions of the register - the electoral register and the open register.

• Electoral Register

The electoral register lists the names and addresses of everyone who is registered to vote.  The register is used for electoral purposes, such as making sure only eligible people can vote and for other limited purposes in law such as detecting crime (fraud), checking credit applications and calling people for jury service.

• Open Register

The open register is an extract of the electoral register, but it is not used for elections.  It can be bought by any person, company or organisation.  Businesses and charities can buy the open register and use it to send information to you.

You can request to remove your details from the open register by emailing electoralservices@preston.gov.uk or you can call us on 01772 906908.

EU Citizens

You can register to vote if you are a citizen of:

• Denmark, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal and Spain who is resident in the UK, has permission to enter or stay in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man, or who does not need permission
• any other EU country who on or before 31 December 2020 was legally resident in the UK, had permission to enter or stay in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man, or who did not need permission, and this has continued without a break.

Qualifying EU citizens (excluding Cyprus, Malta and Ireland) can register to vote in local elections, and Police and Crime Commissioner elections.

Citizens of Cyprus, Malta and Ireland, although also EU member states, are eligible to be registered to vote in all elections held in the UK.

Students

If you are a student you can register at both your home and term-time addresses. If your home and term-time address are in different authorities, you can vote in local elections in both. However, if you are registered in two authorities, you can only vote in one authority at a general election.

Armed Forces

If you are a member of the Armed Forces and you wish to register, please visit GOV.UK - Register to vote (armed forces) section of the website which explains the different types of registration available to you.

Overseas Electors

On 16 January 2024, the 15 year limit on voting rights for British citizens living overseas was removed. Any British citizen living abroad who has previously lived in, or been registered to vote in the UK, will have the right to vote at UK Parliamentary elections. These voters will be registered at the constituency where they were last registered to vote, or where they lived if they were not registered to vote before.

British citizens living abroad will no longer have to register as an overseas voter every year. Instead, they will have to renew their declaration every 3 years. 

You can now register online as an overseas voter under the new Elections Act rules. Please visit GOV.UK - Voting when abroad  For more information please see The Electoral Commission.

Change of Name

If you've changed your name, you will need to update the register with your new name. 

You can contact us at electoralservices@preston.gov.uk with details or your name change along with a copy of your documentation for example, change of name deed, marriage certificate etc or call us on 01772 906908.

If you already have a postal vote in place, please get in touch and we will send a new application form out to you to update your new signature.

Anonymous Registration

If you are concerned for your safety and for the safety of others in the household, you can register anonymously.

Please visit The Electoral Commission - Register Anonymously section on the Electoral Commission's website which contains the relevant forms and criteria for registering as an anonymous elector.

Residents of Guild Lodge, Whittingham Lane

If you are resident at Guild Lodge, Whittingham Lane, Whittingham and you wish to register to vote, please email us at electoralservices@preston.gov.uk or call us on 01772 906908 and we will send an application to register out to you.

An Easy Read Guide to registering to vote is available on GOV.UK - Registering to vote: easy read guide.

Related Video

Video from the Electoral Commission about the Individual Electoral Registration system and how to register.

British Sign Language YouTube Video - How do I register to vote