Registering to vote FAQs
Summary
South Norfolk has a total population of around 113,300, of which 94,000 are aged 18 or over - and therefore allowed to vote at elections. Below you will find the answers to some of the most common questions we are asked about the electoral register (the list of the names of people who can vote), and how to get your name on it.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get my name on the Electoral Register?
You can add your name to the register of electors at any time throughout the year. When you send usa completed, signed registration form we will add your name to our list of new electors, assuming you qualify.
Any elector can then object to your name being added to the register. If this happens we will write to you. For more information you can email us or contact our electoral services helpline on 01508 533686/7.
To find out how to get on the Electoral Register, visit our page Getting on the Electoral Register.
Why should I register?
If you do not register then you cannot vote in any election! It is also much harder to obtain credit if you are not on the Register.
We may take legal proceedings against householders who fail to return their registration form.
How can I view 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 our offices in Long Stratton. 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 01508 533686/7 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 our Long Stratton offices.
Related pages on this website
External links
Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI)
The OPSI site has the Representation of the People (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2002, which lists who can see the full electoral register and for what purposes.
The Electoral Commission
The independent organisation set up to 'foster public confidence' in the democratic process.
Contact us
| contact officer/team: | Electoral Services Team |
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| web: | online enquiry form |
| email: | register@s-norfolk.gov.uk |
| telephone: | 01508 533686/7 |
| minicom/textphone: | 01508 533622 |
| address: | South Norfolk Council South Norfolk House Swan Lane Long Stratton Norwich NR15 2XE |
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If you need information in large print, audio cassette, braille, translation (written or verbal) or signed interpretation, let us know when you contact us.
