The Register of Electors (also knows as the 'electoral register' or 'electoral roll') is the council’s official register of who resides in each property and shows those eligible to vote. There are two versions of the register:
This lists the names and address of everyone who is registered to vote in public elections. The Electoral Register is used for electoral purposes only - such as making sure only eligible people can vote - and for other limited purposes specified in law (such as preventing and detecting crime, and checking applications for credit).
Only a limited number of organisations, including credit reference agencies are allowed to buy the Electoral Register.
Anyone who registers to vote is automatically included on the Electoral Register. You cannot be removed from this register.
Under the Representation of the People Act Regulations 2013 it is a legal requirement for the council to produce an Open Register. The Open Register (previously known as the ‘Edited’ register) is an extract of the Electoral Register showing the names of people who chose not to opt out.*
It is not used for election purposes and can be bought by any person, company or organisation. For example, it is used by businesses and charities to confirm name and address details. The personal data in the Register must always be processed in line with data-protection legislation.
*Your inclusion on the open register is based on your response to the Household Enquiry Form (HEF), previously known as the 'annual canvass form' which is sent to your property every year between July and September.
If you are on the Open Register it is because when you completed the form, the ‘opt out’ option was not selected.
Publication of verification number
In accordance with the Local Authorities (Referendum)(Petitions)(England) Regulations 2011, the verification number is published below:
Local Verification Number Statement 2021 (pdf 135kb)