Register to vote

What is the electoral register?

• The electoral register is a list of people in the Bristol area who are eligible to vote in an election.
• In order to vote in an election your name must be on the register.
• A mass update of the register is carried out annually between end-August and mid November and this new register comes into force during December.
• Before and after this, the register is updated on a rolling monthly basis.

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Who can register?

Any person who is 18 years and over and is a British, Commonwealth, Irish Republic or European Union member state citizen living in the Bristol area who is not currently on the register.

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Why must you register?

By law everyone must register to vote.

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When can you register?

• The Electoral Register is now a rolling register, which means you can join the register throughout the year.
• Electors who move can complete the register to vote form and register for their new address.
• Use the timetable to find out when your name will be formally added to The Register of Electors

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How to apply to be on the register

Rolling Registration (mid December - mid August)

Complete the register application form.

Register to Vote Form

Annual Registration (end of August - mid November)

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Returning the register to vote application

Your register to vote application form should be posted to the following freepost address. No stamp is required.

Electoral Services
FREEPOST (NAT 11762)
Bristol
BS1 5BR

Once registered, you will be sent a poll card before each election in which you are eligible to vote giving information about how you can vote.

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The Full and Edited Register

• The full register lists everyone who is entitled to vote.
• Only certain people and organisations can have copies of the full register, and they can only use it for specified purposes. These include electoral purposes, the prevention and detection of crime and checking your identity when you have applied for credit.
• The law says who can have a copy of the full register and what they can use it for.

The Edited Register

The edited register leaves out the names and addresses of people who have asked for them to be excluded from that version of the register. The edited register can be bought by anyone who asks for a copy and they may use it for any purpose.

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Where can I see the register of electors

The Register of Electors is available for inspection at the office listed to the right or at the following libraries:

• Central Library, College Green. (Whole city)
• Bedminster Library, East Street. (Bristol South)
• Knowle Library, Broadwalk Shopping Centre, Wells Road. (Bristol South)
• Henbury Library, Crow Lane. (Bristol North West)
• St. George Library, Church Road. (Bristol East)
• Westbury-on-Trym Library, Falcondale Road. (Bristol West)
• Fishponds Library, Fishponds Road. (Kingswood)

A list of registers that can be inspected at the above libraries can be viewed here.  Registers at Libraries

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Register timetable

After you apply to join the register, use this timetable to find out when you will be added to it:

To vote in the 2010 Local Elections your form must be received by the 20 April 2010.

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Contact details and office opening hours

Contact details:
Electoral Services
The Exchange,
Corn Street
Bristol BS1 5TR

Telephone: (0117) 922 3790
Fax: (0117) 922 3461
E-mail: electoral.services@bristol.gov.uk

Office opening hours:
Monday to Thursday 9am to 4:30pm
Friday 9am to 4pm

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