Your Questions Answered - What is the Electoral Register?
The Electoral Register is the list of everyone who is eligible and who has registered to vote. You must be on this register to vote at elections. You are not automatically registered by any other means eg. Because you pay council tax.
Am I eligible to register?
Yes, if you are 17 or over. You will then be eligible to vote on or after your 18th birthday. You must be a British, Irish or Commonwealth Citizen. European Union Citizens are also eligible to register to vote in Local Elections. European Union Citizens can complete an additional application, which will also allow them to vote in European Parliamentary Elections.
Residents of mental hospitals, homeless people and remand prisoners can register. Please contact your Electoral Services Unit for details. Convicted prisoners are not eligible to vote.
Citizens of any other countries are not eligible to register.
Is there a deadline for registering?
The qualifying date for the Register of Electors is 15th October in every year, and a Final Register is in force from the 1st December the same year. Canvassers will deliver a form to every property during September, with reminders and personal visits during October and November. The Register of Electors is compiled from the information returned on each registration form returned.
From 1st December each year through to mid August electors can register if they have been missed off the register or move into the area. They can also re-register if they move properties. This is done by completing a re-registration form and will take between 2 and 6 weeks for Electors to be legally entered onto the Register.
There are special rules about electors being added to the register during an election period. Because of these you may not be able to vote at that election if you are added during this time.
The best thing is to get registered as soon as possible so that you are included and do not lose your right to vote.
How can I check that I am on the Electoral Register?
You can check at the Central Library, Waterdale, Doncaster or the Electoral Services Unit, Waterdale, Doncaster or by calling the Electoral Services Unit direct on telephone number
(01302) 734658/734685 or eMail the
Electoral Services Unit (elections.legal@doncaster.gov.uk).
Access and the uses of the Electoral Register
The electoral register lists name and address of everyone who has registered to vote. By law, the local authority has to make the electoral register available for anyone to look at. The register is held in the Central Library, Waterdale, Doncaster and in the Electoral Services Unit, Copley House, Waterdale, Doncaster.
Until 1st December 2002, any company, organisation or person could purchase a copy the register. The Government has changed the law so that now you have some choice about who can buy details of your name and address. Under the changes there are two versions of the register: the full version and the edited version.
The full register has the names and addresses of everyone registered to vote and is updated every month between publication on 1st December and mid August, when an annual canvass is undertaken. Anyone can look at this register but it can only be sold for certain purposes, such as elections and law enforcement. Credit reference agencies are also allowed to use the full register, but only to check your name and address if you are applying for credit, and to help stop 'money laundering'. It is a criminal offence, for anyone who has rightful possession of the register, if they unlawfully pass on information from it.
You do not have a choice about your name and address being on this register.
The edited register is available for general sale and can be used for any purpose. You can choose not to be on it. You must tick the opt out box on the annual registration form, on a re-registration form or by contacting the Electoral Services Unit.
Do I need to inform you I have moved?
YES. We will send out re-registration forms to your new property. These must be completed individually and returned with proof of residence to the Electoral Registration Officer. Your details will be entered on to the Electoral Register, as per the timetable given on the form. You will receive confirmation when your entry is legally valid.
Annual Canvass
If you receive a Register of Electors Annual Canvass Form and would like to register by internet please visit the site below.
You will need to have the form with you to register, as you will be required to enter the two part security code, printed on the front when you have completed a successful registration you can destroy the form.
www.registerbyinternet.com/doncastermbc
Please note all the details on the form have to remain the same to register by internet.
