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Electoral register

Overview

The electoral register lists the names and addresses of everyone who's registered to vote in Plymouth. To be able to vote in the UK, you must be on the electoral register.

You are not automatically registered to vote even if:

  • you pay council tax
  • have registered to use other council services

The register is used at all elections and referendums to make sure only eligible people can vote. Certain people and organisations can have copies of the full register for specific purposes. These include:

  • Elections
  • Calling people for jury service
  • Preventing and detecting crime
  • Checking your identity when applying for credit

A revised register is published each year on 1 December. You can view a printed copy of the electoral register at the Central Library under supervision. You will not be able to make a copy of the register, only handwritten notes are allowed.

Updating register

Your name can take up to six weeks to show on the register of electors depending on when you register to vote:

If you applied on or before Your name will be added by
11 December 2023 2 January 2024
10 January 2024 1 February 2024
8 February 2024 1 March 2024
11 March 2024 2 April 2024
16 April 2024 2 May 2024
10 May 2024 3 June 2024
7 June 2024 1 July 2024
10 July 2024 1 August 2024
9 August 2024 2 September 2024
9 September 2024 1 October 2024
10 October 2024 1 November 2024

Credit reference agencies receive a copy of all monthly updates and revised register to update their records.

The Government's Your Vote Matters website has more information about registering and voting.

To check if you are already registered to vote please email ero@plymouth.gov.uk or call 01752 304866.

Change of details

You've moved

If you've recently moved you'll need to register again at your new address. You'll need to include your old address, so that we can update your details from that address.

Someone no longer lives at an address

If someone no longer lives at an address because they’ve moved out or died, you can request that they are removed from the Electoral Register online.

Changing your name or correcting a spelling error

To change or correct your name on the Register of Electors enter your current details on the GOV.UK website. We will then overwrite your old details with the new ones you have provided.

Open register

The open register (also known as the edited register) is based on the electoral register but isn't used for elections. It can be bought by any person, company or organisation. For example it's used by businesses/charities to check name and address details.

Your name and address will be included in the open register unless you ask for them to be removed. Removing your details from the open register doesn't mean you can't vote.

Update open register

You can also choose not to be listed on the open register when you:

Keeping the electoral register up to date and secure

  • we write to all electors to confirm we have added or amended their details to the register
  • to maintain an accurate register we carry our reviews of any electors we believe have moved away
  • we conduct reviews as necessary to query an elector’s nationality or other entitlement to be registered such as the right to remain in this country
  • we cross-check other council databases as required to determine registration
  • if an applicant's details do not match with the Department of Work and Pensions database we seek supporting evidence such as the person's passport or driving licence to establish their identity before they can be added to the register
  • we liaise with the police about any suspicious registering or voting activities
  • all absent voters are required, by law, to re-apply after 3 years. We will contact all relevant electors up to 3 months prior to the deadline to advise of this
  • we handle all data in accordance with the Data Protection Act and council policies on safe handling and distribution.