Electoral Registration

The Register of Electors is a record of all Gedling Borough residents who are entitled to vote at elections.

We are now in the process of canvassing to update the Electoral Register, with the next edition due for publication on 1 December 2010.

Between August and 30 November 2010, every domestic property in the Borough will receive a canvass form.

What is the annual canvass?

In order to keep the Electoral Register as current as possible, we conduct annual checks by sending voter forms to every domestic property in the borough.

If you do not complete the canvass form you could be left out of the new edition of the register, even though you may feature on the current one.

I'm not included on the Electoral Register - what should I do?

During the annual canvass, we are unable to accept new applications to be registered as electors. Instead, anyone wishing to be included on the Electoral Register should complete the Blank Canvass Form below and post it to the Electoral Registration Officer at the Civic Centre.

canvass_form.doc

If you have received a canvass form under a previous occupants' name, please delete their details and include your own where appropriate, as well as including the details of any other occupants also eligible to vote.

No changes to your canvass form

If you wish to confirm your details are unchanged from the previous year, please visit our Internet Registration page, quoting your canvass form's security number where prompted. You may also confirm your details by freephone or text, details are on the canvass form. Alternatively, just return a signed copy of the canvass form to the Electoral Registration Officer at the Civic Centre.

For more information, please contact the Electoral Registration Officer on elections@gedling.gov.uk or call (0115) 901 3917.

Why register?

You are legally required to register, and unless your name is included in the Register of Electors you will not be able to vote. Even if you do not intend to vote, details of everyone eligible to vote at your property must still be submitted to the Electoral Registration Officer.

The register is also used for purposes other than elections as, for example, credit reference companies use the register to verify your identity when applying for credit. If your name does not appear on the register, then you could be turned down for a mortgage, bank account, loan, credit card, or mobile phone.

The register is published 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 resubmit your application.

Am I eligible to vote?

To be included 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 citizen of Britain, the Commonwealth or the Republic of Ireland
• A citizen of the European Union
• Living at an address within Gedling Borough for at least six months of the year.

For a full list of the Commonwealth countries, please click the link below.

• List of Commonwealth countries PDF (55KB)

Similarly, a full list of the European Union member states is available for download below:

• List of European Union Member States PDF (21KB)

Can I vote by post?

Anyone on the Electoral Register can arrange to vote by post for a particular election, for a set period or for an indefinite period of time. If you would prefer to vote by post, fill out the Postal Vote Application form below and post it to the address shown at the bottom of the form:

• postal_vote_application_form.doc

Alternatively, if you wish to appoint someone to vote on your behalf then complete the Proxy Vote Application form below and post it to the address provided in the following document:

• proxy_vote_application_form-2.doc

Can I access a copy of the register?

Two versions of the Electoral Register are published each year, with the details of each version outlined below:

The Full Register

The full register lists the names and addresses of everyone in the borough who is entitled to vote. As a result, only certain people and organisations can access a copy of this version, which may only be used for specific purposes.

The law states 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 inspection at the Civic Centre in Arnold, although you will be required to make an appointment as this document may only be viewed under supervision.

To make an appointment to view the Full Register, please call our Electoral Registration Officer on (0115) 901 3917.

The Edited Register

This version does not include the names and addresses of anyone who has asked to be excluded from the edited register, which can be purchased by anyone who asks for a copy. This version may then be used for any purpose. To arrange an inspection of the Edited Register for your area, visit your local library or come to the Civic Centre.

To be excluded from the edited register you must indicate your choice on the annual canvass form when you receive it in the autumn, or on your application to register if applying after the annual canvass has finished.