You can register to vote at any time of the year. It’s quick and easy to do so – it only takes a few minutes.
How do I register?
- Go to www.gov.uk/register-to-vote
- Fill in your name, address, date of birth and a few other details. You’ll also need your national insurance number, which can be found on your national insurance card, or in official paperwork such as payslips, or letters about benefits or tax credits.
- Look out for a confirmation to say you’re registered
If you need any help, contact the electoral services helpline – 01282 477261 or 01282 477263 – staff will be able to help you.
Why should I register?
In order to vote at an election it is necessary to be on the electoral register. This is checked by the staff at the polling station and ballot papers are only issued to those people whose names appear on the register. There are no exceptions to this rule. You must confirm your details every year to vote.
- If you are not on the register you cannot vote
- Banks, building societies, credit companies and large stores require potential customers to be on the register of electors before approving credit applications
Who can register to vote?
You can register to vote if you are:
- living at an address in Burnley
- 16 years old or over (although please note that you will be only actually be able to vote once you are 18 years old or over)
- a British or Commonwealth citizen
- a citizen of the Irish Republic or other European Union state not otherwise disqualified from registration.
If you are unsure whether you are registered or are eligible to vote please ring the elections office on 01282 477261.
Electoral registration canvass
Every year a canvass of all residential properties in the borough is undertaken to make sure that everyone is registered to vote.
We are currently delivering canvass forms to every household in the borough as part of the annual review of the electoral register.
It is important that if there are any changes you tell us so that we can make sure you are able to vote. Not being registered to vote may also affect your credit score.
Adding someone to the canvass form, making changes via the online service or calling the helpline does not mean that a person is registered to vote. You are only confirming the names of the people living at the property. All new electors have also to register individually online. If no online application is made a form will be posted out.
The electoral register is a list of all names and addresses of everyone who is registered to vote in Burnley. The revised electoral register will be published annually on 1st December.