Overview
You can register to vote if:
- you're 18 years old (16 and 17 year olds can only register if they'll be 18 within the lifetime of the electoral register)
- you live at your address for at least six months of the year
- you're a British, Irish, qualifying European Union or qualifying Commonwealth citizen
You can also use this service to:
- update your name, address or other details on the electoral register
- change your voting preferences (for example to vote by post)
- change whether you're on the open register
Registration takes about five minutes (you will need your national insurance number or may have to provide further evidence).
To check if you are registered to vote or for more information, email [email protected] or call 01752 304866.
EU Citizens
European Union (EU) citizens are no longer automatically entitled to register to vote and stand for election.
Two groups of EU citizens will retain their rights.
Qualifying EU citizens
Qualifying EU citizens from countries with reciprocal agreements, and who have leave, or do not require it, to remain in the UK - currently Denmark, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal and Spain.
EU citizens with 'retained rights'
EU citizens with 'retained rights' who, on or before 31 December 2020, were 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.
Students
If you're a student studying away from home, you can register in your home town as well as Plymouth. For:
- local elections you can vote in both locations
- UK parliamentary elections you can only vote in one location
Members of the armed forces
You can vote in the normal way or register for a service vote. You can register for a service vote if you:
- are a member of the armed forces
- a spouse or civil partner of a serving member
All service votes are valid for five years.
Crown Servants and British Council employees
If you are:
- a Crown servant or a British Council employee
- spouse or civil partner of a Crown servant or British Council employee
You need to register separately if you're likely to be posted abroad.
Overseas Elector (Moving or Living Abroad)
If you're a British Citizen and you intend to move abroad to live or work, you may still be eligible to register to vote at UK Parliamentary Elections. One may register as an overseas elector providing they;
- were previously registered to vote in the UK, either before they left the UK or as an overseas voter; or
- previously lived in the UK
Your registration lasts up to 3 years and you will receive a reminder when it's time to renew. If your overseas address changes, please email [email protected]
At the time of an election, you can apply to vote by post or proxy.
If the election is less than two weeks away and you haven't made any arrangements, you should vote by proxy.
We cannot send your postal ballot paper by email. We have to sent it by post for you to complete and return by post in the pre-paid envelope provided.
For further information on the recent legislative changes on overseas voting visit the Electoral Commission website.
No Fixed Address
You can still register to vote even if you do not have a fixed address. This may be because you are:
- A patient in a mental health hospital
- Homeless
- A merchant seaman
- Part of the gypsy or travelling community
- Living on a boat or other movable residence
- A person remanded in custody
You can register for an address you are staying at for an extended length of time. This could be a hospital, hostel, prison facility or similar place.
If you do not have a permanent address, you can register at an address where you spend a large part of your time or have some connection. This could be a previous permanent address, shelter or similar place.
Further information on registering to vote without a fixed address visit the Electoral Commission website
People with a learning difficulty / dementia
People with a learning difficulty / dementia have the same right to vote as everyone else.
Registering to vote will let you have your say in local elections, general elections and referendums.
There is an easy read step-by-step guide to registering to vote on GOV.UK.
We want everyone to register and, if they wish, to use their vote. But for some people, registering as an elector can be a difficult process to follow. Here's a quick and easy step-by-step guide.
Anonymous Elector Registration
If you think your name and address being on the electoral register could affect your safety, or the safety of someone in your household, you can apply to register to vote anonymously.
There are three steps to register to vote anonymously. You will need to:
- download and complete the application form
- explain why your safety, or the safety of someone in your household, would be at risk if your details were on the electoral register
- submit evidence to support your registration