Register to vote

There are important legal changes to the voting and candidacy rights of EU citizens (Elections Act 2022), effective from 7 May 2024. Please expand the details below to read a summary.

Expand for details of changes to the voting and candidacy rights of EU citizens

Changes to voting rights

In England, the general right of European Union (EU) citizens to register, vote, and stand in UK elections will be removed, except for certain groups:

'qualifying EU citizens' - Citizens from EU countries with reciprocal agreements with the UK, currently Denmark, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, and Spain (referred to as the EU5).
'EU citizens with retained rights' - EU citizens from other EU countries who were legally resident in the UK before 31 December 2020 (referred to as the EU20).

Please note that citizens of Ireland, Malta, or Cyprus will retain their voting rights in all UK elections while resident in the UK.

The Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) will:

review the eligibility of EU citizens as part of an Eligibility Confirmation and Review (ECR) process.
write to 'Qualifying EU citizens' and 'EU citizens with retained rights' to confirm their continued eligibility to remain registered, requiring no action from them.
update application processes for EU citizens to meet the new eligibility criteria.

Changes to candidacy rights

changes to candidacy rights for EU citizens will be effective from 7 May 2024. EU citizens elected before this date can remain in office for their full term.
after this date, EU citizens standing as candidates must have been legally resident in the UK before 31 December 2020, or be from Denmark, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal or Spain to be eligible.

Register to vote online

Registering to vote is quick and simple. It means you have the right to vote at elections and it could also improve your credit rating.

Make sure you are always registered

If you are entitled to vote, you must make sure that your name appears on the Register of Electors.

You should also let us know if you move house or leave the borough. Being registered ensures that your right to vote is protected if an election is called at short notice. What’s more, your ability to obtain credit could be restricted if you are not on the register.

Check if you are registered.

Who has to register to vote?

You must register to vote if you are a UK resident, aged 16 or over and a British, Irish, Commonwealth or European Union citizen.

You can register only for the address where you are living. Sixteen or 17 year olds should also be registered to ensure that they can vote as soon as they reach 18. Qualifying Commonwealth citizens are those who have leave to enter or remain in the UK.

If you are unsure whether you or anyone in your household qualify to be included on the register, please visit the Electoral Commission website.

Who can register to vote?

For information about eligible nationalities, residence and age, see Who can register to vote?

Adding your name to the Register of Electors

You can add your name to the register by filling in the online register to vote form on the GOV.UK website.

There are two versions of the register

Using information received from the public, registration officers keep two registers – the electoral register and the open register (also known as the edited register).

The electoral register

The electoral register lists the names and addresses of everyone who is registered to vote in public elections. The register is used for electoral purposes, such as making sure only eligible people can vote. It is also used for other limited purposes specified in law, such as detecting crime (eg fraud), calling people for jury service and checking credit applications.

The open register

The open register is an extract of the electoral register, but is not used for elections or for credit checking. Any person, company or organisation can buy it. For example, it is used by businesses and charities to confirm name and address details. Your name and address will be included in the open register unless you ask for them to be removed.

Not being on the open version does not affect your right to vote or credit checking as they both use the full electoral register.

How do I tell you that I don’t want to be included on the open register?

Please send an email to: electoral.services@lbhf.gov.uk

Or write to us at:

Electoral Services
Hammersmith Town Hall
King Street
Hammersmith
London W6 9JU

You will need to give us your name and address and tell us that you want to opt-out of the open register.

You can find information about both registers on the GOV.UK website.

Who has my details?

For more information about the organisations and individuals who buy both versions of the register, please visit who has my details.

Anonymous registration

If your safety may be at risk if details are published on the voters list, you can register anonymously.

Find out how to register anonymously in Hammersmith & Fulham.

Second homes and student homes

It is legal to register to vote for both your homes if they are not in the same constituency and you are resident in both of them. Find out about registering to vote for second homes and student homes.

Monthly registration statistics

We publish the monthly registration statistics on our website. This will show you the monthly alterations to the Electoral Register since publication of the register on 1 December 2023.

Inspecting the register

You can inspect the full Register of Electors, under supervision only. Please contact us to make an appointment.

Further information

If you need more comprehensive guidance about registering to vote, visit The Electoral Commission website.