Electoral Registration

It is a legal requirement to register.  You will not be able to vote unless your name is included in the Register of Electors.  Even if you do not intend to vote, you must return the registration form, including details of everyone living at the property who is eligible to vote.  The register is also used for many things other than elections.  Credit reference companies use the register to verify your identity when you apply for credit, and if your name does not appear on the register you could be turned down for a mortgage, bank account, loan, credit card, mobile phone and other forms of credit.

To be eligible for inclusion on the Register, you must be:

• Over 18, or reach the age of 18 during the period in which the register is in force (from 1 December to 30 November in the following year).
• A British citizen, a Commonwealth citizen or a citizen of the Republic of Ireland.
• A citizen of the European Union. The member states of the European Union are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Republic of Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.
• Living at an address within Gedling Borough for at least 6 months of the year.

The register is published on 1 December each year following an annual canvass of every property, which takes place each autumn, and remains in force for 12 months. If we do not receive the annual canvass form back for two successive years your name will be removed from the register and you will need to reapply to have your name added.

When you receive your canvass form, and if you have no changes to your details, you can register by internet using the following link:    www.registerbyinternet.com/gedling    (You will need the security codes printed on your canvass form).

Anyone wishing to be included on the electoral register, can obtain a claim form using the link below and return it to the following address. (One form per person please).

Electoral Registration Officer
Gedling Borough Council
Civic Centre
Arnot Hill Park
Arnold
Nottingham
NG5 6LU

If you have any queries or would like more information, please contact the Electoral Registration Officer at the Civic Centre by telephone 0115 9013917 or at elections@gedling.gov.uk.

Download_a_claim_form (3.8 MB)

Would you prefer to vote by post?

Anyone on the electoral register can vote by post. You can arrange to have a postal vote for a particular election, for a set period or for an indefinite period.

Download_a_postal_vote_application_form (3.8 MB)

Would you prefer to vote by Proxy?

You may also be able to vote by proxy i.e. appoint someone to vote on your behalf.

Proxy Vote Application Form

Two versions of the electoral register are prepared.

1. 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 specific purposes. These include electoral purposes, the prevention and detection of crime and checking your identity if you have applied for credit. The law says who can have a copy of the full register and what they can use it for. It is a criminal offence for them to pass it on to anyone else or to use it for any other purpose.

The full version of the Register is available for you to inspect at the Civic Centre in Arnold. You may be required to make an appointment to view the full version of the Register as this can only be done under supervision.

2. The Edited Register

The Edited Register leaves out the names and addresses of anybody who has asked to be excluded from the edited version of the register. The edited register can be bought by anyone who asks for a copy and can be used for any purpose.
To be excluded from the edited register you must indicate your choice on the annual canvass form when you receive it in the autumn.

You can inspect the edited version of the Register for your area at your local post office, library or at the Civic Centre.