How to Register on the Electoral Roll
Updated on Thursday 17 August 2023
Some UK citizens simply can’t be bothered to vote and wonder ‘is it really worth being on the electoral roll?’ The answer to that question is a resounding ‘yes’.
What some people do not always realise is that in addition to having the right to vote, being registered on the Electoral Roll can also help to:
- Boost your credit score
- Save being hassled for proof of address (i.e. when applying for credit or insurance)
- Assist with getting a Passport
- Protect you from fraud or identity theft (if you’re registered to an old address)
- Stop you being harassed by creditors for another person’s debt (registered at your current address)
- Oil the wheels of some job applications where employers check the electoral roll to verify your identity
Check your score now with multi-agency credit-checking website Checkmyfile - sign up for a 30-day free trial and cancel anytime (£14.99 p/m after free trial):
In the worst-case scenario, if you’re not registered on the electoral roll, you could be refused credit or a loan. You could also miss out on being eligible for jury service, as random people are picked from the electoral register for this - although we appreciate this isn’t an attractive prospect to all!
If the above has convinced you it’s high time you registered to vote, to help guide you through the registration process we’ve put together this Q&A guide answering any ancillary electoral registration queries you may have.
In this guide (click on a link to jump to the relevant section):
Is it a legal requirement to be on the electoral register?
What if I don’t want to be on the electoral register?
Am I on the electoral register?
How to register on electoral roll
How to change address or remove someone from electoral roll
How much does being on the electoral roll affect credit score?
What is the electoral roll?
The electoral roll, also known as the ‘electoral register’, is an official Government list containing all the names and addresses of all UK citizens who are registered to vote in local and general elections.
If you are not registered on the electoral roll, then you will not be able to vote for your preferred local MP in local elections or your favourite political party in the next general election.
Is it a legal requirement to be on the electoral register?
Yes. Being registered on the electoral roll is required by law if you’ve been asked to register by your local council and are 16-years-old or more. Failure to register could result in a fine of £1,000.
What if I don’t want to be on the electoral register?
If you don’t want to be on the electoral register because you feel doing so would compromise your safety (or the safety of someone living with you) and you have evidence to prove this, then you can register to vote anonymously.
If you successfully register to vote anonymously, your name and address will not show on the ‘open register’. This means registering to vote anonymously will not boost your credit score as your electoral registration will not show on your credit file
How to check if I am on the electoral roll
You can check if you’re on the electoral roll by contacting your local Electoral Registration Office or you can simply check the electoral register online free by viewing your credit file.
How to get on electoral roll
If you have not received a Household Enquiry Form from your local authority for completion and return, you can easily register to vote online by visiting the GOV.UK website.
How to change address or remove someone from electoral roll
You can easily update your name and address or get on or off the open register by visiting the GOV.UK website.
How much does being on the electoral roll affect credit score?
Being on the electoral roll can affect your credit score significantly. According to debtcamel.co.uk, being on the electoral roll could increase your credit score by as much as 50 points!
You can easily check your credit score online for free right now by viewing a credit report for all of the main UK credit referencing agencies.
To check your credit score now, for free (30-day free trial, £14.99 p/m thereafter - cancel anytime), tap the button below to get started right away:
For more information and guidance relating to your credit score and why it's important to protect it, take a look at our related guides below.