Register to vote

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If you want to vote

If you want to vote in elections and referendums you must be registered and on the electoral register.

You only need to register to vote once and you don't need to register separately for every election.

You must register again if you've changed address, name or nationality.

Paying council tax does not register you to vote. Not only does being registered enable you to vote in elections, but it may also help your credit rating.

To check if you are already registered, please contact us at electoral services:

  • email: ero@barnet.gov.uk
  • phone: 020 8359 5577 (we may need to ask you questions to check your identity)

Register to vote

Who can register to vote

You must be:

  • 18 years of age or over on polling day
  • a British citizen, a qualifying Commonwealth citizen, or a citizen of the European Union
  • resident in the UK
  • not be subject to any legal incapacity to vote

You can't vote if you:

  • are not a British, qualifying Commonwealth or European Union citizen
  • are a convicted person detained in pursuance of your sentence. This excludes contempt of court, but remand prisoners, un-convicted prisoners and civil prisoners can vote if they are on the electoral register
  • have been found guilty within the previous five years of corrupt or illegal practices in connection with an election

You can find more information on who can vote on the Electoral Commission website

How to register to vote

You will need your:

  • date of birth
  • National Insurance number

If you are unable to supply these, we will contact you for more evidence.

 

Register to vote

Anonymous registration

If you feel that you are at risk by your name appearing on the register of electors you can apply to be entered anonymously and if your application is accepted your name and address will not be shown. Any person living with you can also apply to vote in this way.

You will need to complete a form giving the reason for needing to be registered anonymously e.g. escaping from domestic violence or an occupation that requires you keep your identity private. 

You are required by law to provide documentary evidence in the form of a court order or injunction. If you do not have either of these you are required by law for your application to be supported by one of the following people:

  • a Police Officer of, or above the rank of, Superintendent
  • the Director General of the Security Services or the Serious Organised Crime Agency; or
  • a Director of Adult Social Services/Children Services

The qualifying officer does not have to be based in the same area as you, but the supporting documentation cannot be signed by a more junior person within their organisation.

To apply to register to vote anonymously you need to complete a Register to vote anonymously form on GOV.UK and return it to: 

Electoral Services
2 Bristol Avenue
Colindale
London
NW9 4EW

For more information contact Electoral Services on ero@barnet.gov.uk or call 020 8359 5577. 

Verifying who you are after registration

When you apply to join the register, your personal details will be verified against other records held by central government before you are added to the register.

If you cannot be verified this way then you may be asked to provide additional documentary evidence (for example a copy of your Passport or Driving Licence) before you are registered to vote, which may mean there is a delay before you are added to the register of electors.

Registering to vote without a permanent address

Please contact us to get assistance with registering to vote:

Email: ero@barnet.gov.uk

Phone: 020 8359 5577

Support for people with learning disabilities 

You can get help with voting on the Voting Counts website.

The easy read guide to voting explains how to register to vote as well as the different types of voting. It was written by Mencap with the Electoral Commission.

Voter registration, moving home and Council Tax

Your electoral registration does not automatically renew if you change address. You must complete a new application to register at your new address. Register online at GOV.UK

Registering for Council Tax at your new address does not update your electoral registration details. The law requires you complete separate applications for both.

Voting as a student

Students can register to vote at their term-time address, their home address or both.  However, you can only vote once in the same election. Register online at GOV.UK