Register to Vote

Frequently Asked Questions

Voter Registration

You can only vote in an election if your name is on the register of electors. The register is updated annually but we can also add names throughout the year. All you have to do is complete a Voter Registration form. Please contact Electoral Services who will send a form to you or alternatively print one off from the bottom of this page.

How long does it take?

When you send us your form, we will add you to our list of new applications. Any elector can then object to your name being added to the register. If this happens we will write to you.

If your application is not objected to, we will change your details within 7 weeks of receiving your form. Please see the following guide:

If we get your form before……..	Your details will be changed on……
Monday 12 December, 2011	Tuesday 3 January, 2012
Tuesday 10 January, 2012	Wednesday 1 February, 2012
Wednesday 8 February, 2012	Thursday 1 March, 2012
Friday 9 March, 2012	Monday 2 April, 2012
Thursday 5 April, 2012	Tuesday 1 May, 2011 (if no elections)
Wednesday 18 April, 2012	Thursday 26April, 2012 (if elections on 3 May 2012)
Thursday 10 May, 2012	Friday 1 June 2012
Friday 8 June, 2012	Monday 2 July, 2012
Tuesday 10 July, 2012	Wednesday 1 August, 2012
Friday 10 August, 2012	Monday 3 September, 2012

You will receive a confirmation letter once you are registered.

Viewing the Register

We hold and publish two versions of the register - the full register and the edited register.

The Full 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 full list of people able to see it, and for what purposes, is given in the Representation of the People (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2002 (available from the Office of Public Sector Information) It is a criminal offence for them to pass it on to anyone else or to use it for any other purpose. The full register can be checked at the Town Hall, Great Yarmouth. However, anyone checking the full register must be supervised and they may only make hand written notes. Anyone wishing to make an extended search should telephone 01493 846548 to make appropriate arrangements.

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 and it may be used for any purpose. A copy of the edited register is available at the reception desk at the Town Hall, Great Yarmouth.