Who can register to vote in England
Eligibility to vote depends on which election is being held. The rules are more generous than most people assume, and many people who are eligible do not know it.
UK parliamentary elections (general elections) and local elections:
- British citizens
- Irish citizens — full voting rights in all UK elections, the same as British citizens
- Qualifying Commonwealth citizens — those with leave to remain or indefinite leave in the UK. Not every Commonwealth citizen qualifies; it depends on their immigration status. Verify your status at GOV.UK if you are unsure.
Local elections only (not UK parliamentary elections):
- EU citizens with settled or pre-settled status in the UK
Scottish Parliament, Senedd (Wales), and Northern Ireland Assembly elections: different rules apply, including wider eligibility for EU citizens and 16-year-olds. This page covers England only.
Irish and EU citizens: you have more voting rights than you may know
Irish citizens living in England can vote in all elections — including UK general elections and local elections. This is the same right as British citizens. Many Irish people living in England do not realise this.
EU citizens with settled or pre-settled status can vote in local elections in England. They cannot vote in UK parliamentary general elections, but they can vote for their local council.
If this applies to you, registering takes about five minutes on GOV.UK.
How to register
The quickest way to register is online. It takes about five minutes.
Go to: https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote
You will need:
- Your full name
- Your current address
- Your date of birth
- Your National Insurance number
If you do not have a National Insurance number, or if there is a reason you cannot use the standard online route, contact your local Electoral Registration Office. Alternatively, you can request a paper registration form and register by post.
You can register at any time — you do not need to wait until an election is called.
Opt out of the open register when you register
The electoral register has two versions. The full register is shared only with organisations permitted by law (including credit reference agencies). The edited register is a shorter version sold to anyone who wants it — companies, direct marketers, and others.
When you register to vote, you can opt out of the edited register. Doing so does not affect your right to vote. If you do not want your details sold to third parties, opt out during registration. Most people choose to opt out.
Deadlines
To vote in any election, you must be registered by midnight 12 working days before polling day. This deadline changes with each election because it is always calculated relative to the election date.
You can register at any time. There is no need to wait for an election to be announced. Registering in advance means you are automatically included when an election is called.
If an election is announced and you are not yet registered, check GOV.UK immediately for the current deadline: https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote
If you move house
Your registration is address-specific. Moving house does not automatically transfer your registration. When you move, you need to re-register at your new address.
If you are already registered at your old address, you can still vote there until you re-register at your new address. But once you have moved, re-register promptly so you are included for any future elections.
If you changed your name when you moved (for example, due to marriage), you will also need to update your name on the register. See our guide on changing your name for how that works.
The annual canvass — what the letter is actually for
Every year, households in England receive a canvass letter from their local Electoral Registration Office. This is not a prompt to register from scratch — it is a check that the existing register is accurate.
If the letter says your details are correct and nothing has changed, you may just need to confirm this online or by text. You do not need to fill in a full registration form.
If you receive a canvass form and ignore it, your council may send follow-up letters or knock on your door to confirm your details. It does not remove you from the register if you miss it, but it causes unnecessary follow-up and may result in your details being flagged for review.
Read the letter carefully. Most canvass responses are a quick online confirmation, not a full re-registration.
Postal and proxy voting
If you cannot vote in person on polling day, you can apply to vote by post or by proxy (where someone else casts your vote for you). Both are arranged through your local council.
Postal and proxy vote applications must be submitted before the relevant deadline ahead of each election. Apply well in advance rather than at the last minute.
GOV.UK has the full guidance on postal and proxy voting, including how to apply: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/voting-and-election-guidance
Plain guides to life admin, rights, and how things work in the UK — one email, no noise.
Common questions about registering to vote
Who is eligible to register to vote in England?▾
British citizens, Irish citizens, and qualifying Commonwealth citizens (those with the right to be in the UK) can register to vote in all UK elections. EU citizens with settled or pre-settled status can register to vote in local elections only, not UK parliamentary general elections.
Can EU citizens vote in UK elections?▾
EU citizens with settled or pre-settled status in the UK can vote in local elections in England. They cannot vote in UK parliamentary general elections. This changed after the UK left the EU — EU citizens resident before a certain date retained local voting rights, and those with settled or pre-settled status continue to have them.
Can Irish citizens vote in UK general elections?▾
Yes. Irish citizens resident in the UK have full voting rights, including in UK parliamentary general elections. This is the same right as British citizens. Many Irish people living in England do not realise this. If you are Irish and live in England, you can register to vote at gov.uk/register-to-vote.
How do I register to vote?▾
Go to gov.uk/register-to-vote. The process takes about five minutes. You need your name, address, date of birth, and National Insurance number. You can also opt out of the edited register (the commercial version of the electoral roll) during registration.
What is the deadline to register before an election?▾
Midnight on the day 12 working days before polling day. This changes with each election because it is calculated from the election date. Check GOV.UK for the exact deadline once an election is called. Registering at any time in advance means you will automatically be eligible when an election is announced.
Do I need to re-register if I move house?▾
Yes. Your registration is tied to your address. Moving house does not transfer your registration automatically. Re-register at your new address as soon as you move. You can still vote at your old address until you re-register, but updating promptly ensures you are included for local elections at your new address.
What is the annual canvass and do I need to re-register?▾
The annual canvass is a yearly check sent to all households to confirm that the electoral register is up to date. It is not a registration form. In most cases, if your details have not changed, you just need to confirm this online or by text. You do not need to complete a full registration. Read the letter carefully — it will tell you what action, if any, is needed.
Can I keep my details off the public electoral register?▾
Yes. When you register, you can opt out of the edited register — the version that is sold to commercial organisations. Opting out does not affect your right to vote. The full register (used by credit reference agencies and returned to certain authorised bodies) cannot be opted out of, but access to it is restricted by law.