Do you have to register to vote every year?

Posted by G1itch_Hunt3r@reddit | AskABrit | View on Reddit | 27 comments

I registered last year and I’m not sure if I have to register again, if it’s a one time thing or if I have to register again every couple of years. I know you have to if you’ve moved house but I’m still in the same house I was last year.

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keithmk@reddit

If, like me, you have particular issues and need to use a postal vote, the rules have recently changed and you have to reregister you postal vote evry 2 or 3 years, which is a total pain. But apart from that you are on there till you move or die

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terryjuicelawson@reddit

They just send out letters periodically to make sure things are up to date, you don't have to go out of your way at all.

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smoulderstoat@reddit

The Electoral Registration Officer will send you a letter during the annual canvass (usually October) asking you to confirm your details are correct. If you think you might have missed it and have dropped off the register, just make a fresh application online. If you have elections in your area on 7th May, the deadline is 20th April.

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asmiggs@reddit

My local council roll over your registration if you ignore the letter.

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ProgressMiserable878@reddit

Iany letters go in the bin from my council about voting or electoral role etc. I'm not on one and will never vote for anyone who does or doesn't realise their party they represent are puppets for the WEF so have to do as they are told. All part of the world stage pantomime sadly.

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YourLittleRuth@reddit

That’s nice, dear.

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Boldboy72@reddit

I get a letter from the council almost every year compelling me to confirm my details on the register. I've lived here for 10 years now but they still send me the letter

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Mental_Body_5496@reddit

Contact your council electoral roll office and check.

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Lazy-Field-1116@reddit

You will receive a letter from your local council ahead of any local or national elections that let you know your voting status. If there's anything you need to do it should be detailed on the letter. If you're in doubt at any time then phone your local council and speak to someone to have them talk you through it with instructions on what to do. They field queries on it all the time, you're not being any trouble in asking.

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softbabydesire@reddit

check your local rules

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Complex-Plan2368@reddit

You get a periodic check to make sure the register is up to date, but it will stay until you move.

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moist-v0n-lipwig@reddit

This is called the Annual Canvass and is around September. You just need to confirm the details are correct (assuming you registered originally when you moved house).

It’s worth making sure you do register as it’s a pretty important part of Credit Scoring so can affect your ability to get credit.

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JamesTiberious@reddit

One time thing unless, as you say, you move house

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kalendral_42@reddit

Or unless there’s a local election/change in electoral rules/etc - but basically every time there is an election they will send out you’re polling card for it along with all the stuff about change of house/signing up for postal vote/etc

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G1itch_Hunt3r@reddit (OP)

Thank you

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Apprehensive-Top3675@reddit

The other thing is that if you want to vote by post, you have to reapply every three years.

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PolarLocalCallingSvc@reddit

Not normally, no.

However the council will periodically send out what's called a 'household survey', which asks you to detail the names, ages etc of people living at that address. This is then used to update electoral registers among other things.

In theory it's a criminal offence to not complete these forums but councils tend to only put for prosecutions when people abuse their staff when asked to complete them.

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G1itch_Hunt3r@reddit (OP)

Thank you

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herwiththepurplehair@reddit

You shouldn’t have to register again. If you’re not sure contact the electoral officer at your local council