Who can register to vote?

To be eligible to register you must be:

• a British citizen, a citizen of another Commonwealth country, a citizen of the Republic of Ireland or any other member state of the European Union
• 18 years or older (although you can pre-register at 16 or 17)
• resident at an address in the area (except for some special categories of elector)
• free from any voting disqualifications.

EU and Commonwealth citizens

Citizens of member states of the European Union have a restricted franchise, which means that they can vote at UK local elections (including for the Greater London Assembly) but not parliamentary elections. They can also register to vote in the UK at European parliamentary elections.

A full list of qualifying nationalities is also available. If you are a citizen of a country not included in this list you are not eligible to register.

Citizens of Commonwealth countries who are resident in the UK without leave under the Immigration Act 1971 are not entitled to register as electors, while peers with votes in the House of Lords cannot vote at parliamentary elections.

No address?

People who are homeless, remanded in custody, or who are voluntary patients in mental hospitals can apply to be registered by making a 'declaration of local identity'. Special voting arrangements apply. Please contact the electoral office for further details.