The electoral register

The two different types of electoral register and how to keep your details up to date

For more details about the cyber-attack of the Electoral Commission (August 2023) please visit the Electoral Commission's website. 

Registration is compulsory if you're eligible

You must register to vote if you are asked to and you are eligible. If you don't register, you could be fined.

Different elections have different eligibility. Gov.uk provides more information on the types of elections and who can vote in them.

Types of election and who can vote on GOV.UK

The full electoral register and the open register

There are 2 versions of the electoral register.

The open register

The open register is available to anyone who wants to buy a copy. This is the version companies can buy and use for marketing purposes, such as sending you unsolicited mail. If you don't want to be on the open register, you can use our enquiry form to request that you be opted out. To use this form, you need to be signed in to your My B&D Account. If you don’t have one, you can create a My B&D Account. 

Electoral register enquiry form

The full register

The full register has the name and address of everyone registered to vote. It's used for:

  • elections
  • preventing and detecting crime
  • checking applications for loans or credit
  • jury summoning

Keep your electoral register details up to date

You must register again if you’ve changed address, name or nationality. You can also change whether you are on or off the open register by contacting us at electoral.services@lbbd.gov.uk.

Use the register to vote service to update your details on the electoral register.

Update your electoral register details

To remove an elector off of the Electoral Register you will need to send us a signed letter or email electoral.services@lbbd.gov.uk with their name, address and the reason you wish for them to be removed.

Electoral register enquiries

You can view copies of the electoral register in person if you want to

  • check if you are on the register
  • check if you are registered for postal or proxy voting
  • request evidence you are registered to vote
  • view the register

Use our enquiry form to make an appointment. To use this form, you need to be signed in to your My B&D Account. If you don’t have one, you can create a My B&D Account. You can't register to vote using this form, instead use the register to vote service.

Electoral register enquiry form