Democracy and elections

Registering to Vote

Register of Electors

The Electoral Register is a list of all the people living in the Bedford Borough area who are eligible to vote in an election.  YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO VOTE IF YOU ARE NOT ON THIS LIST.  It is also used for security and credit checks, and you may not be able to obtain credit cards, mortgages etc if you are not on this list.

  • How do I register to vote?
  • Who is eligible to register?
  • What is the Full and Edited Register?
  • When will I appear on the Electoral Register?

How do I register to vote?

Each year, the electoral register is updated between August and November.  Every household is sent a household Voter Registration Form listing all the people on the electoral register as living at that address over the age of`18.  Households must check the form and update it if necessary.  You are legally required to sign this form and send to the Electoral Registration Officer.  You can be fined up to £1000 if this form is not returned.

If you need to update the register at any other time during the year (for example if you have moved house), then you can complete a rolling registration form, which can be downloaded here or obtained from the Town Hall.

Alternatively, if your circumstances differ from that on the form more information can be found at www.aboutmyvote.co.uk

Please note that we are unable to process forms electronically because a signature is required for legal purposes.  Please also note that if you are on the council tax list this does not mean you are included on the electoral register.


Who is eligible to vote?

  • You must be 18 years of age or older to register to vote.  If you will be 18 at the time of the next election you will need to add your date of birth to the Voter Registration Form.
  • You will be a British, Commonwealth, Irish or EU citizen living in the Bedford Borough area.  (For a list of nationalities eligible to register to vote please click here)
  • Anyone who normally lives in your home but is temporarily away
  • anyone who is working away from home for less than six months

If you have a second home you can register from that address too, and if you are a student living away from home in term time you can register at both addresses.  You will be able to vote in local elections for both areas; however it is illegal to vote in an election more than once.


What is the Full and Edited Register?

Bedford Borough Council is required by law to keep two copies of the electoral register.  These are the Full Register and the Edited Register.

  • The Full Register

    This version of the register lists the name and address of everyone registered to vote and is updated every month.  Anyone can view the full register, but copies can only be supplied for certain purposes, such as credit checks and law enforcement.  You can view this register under supervision at the Town Hall.

  • The Edited Register

    This version of the register is available to purchase and can be used for any purpose.  The edited version includes only people who have consented to be listed in this version.  When filling out your registration form there is a box you can tick to be excluded from this register.  The edited register can be bought by anyone and there are no restrictions on its use.  If you are interested in purchasing the edited register, then please contact the Electoral Services team.


    When will I appear on the Electoral Register?

    We update the register according to statutory timetable, details of which can be found here.

    Please note that no amendments are made between September and November during the annual canvass.  All updates to the register will take place on the first working day of December when the new Register of Electors is published.

    Can I inspect or buy the Electoral Register?

    The full register is available for inspection under supervision at the Town Hall.  If you would like to view the full register please call 01234 221604 to make an appointment.

    You may make handwritten notes only.  No computer equipment may be used and no photocopies can be taken.  For more information on these provisions please refer to the Representation of the People Regulations 2001.

    • If you would like to purchase part or all of the edited register please contact the Electoral Services Office.  The costs are legislated for and can be found in the Representation of the People (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2002.  The costs are outlined as follows (regulation 111):

    Paper copy: £10 plus £5 per 1000 names (or part of)
    Data copy: £20 plus £1.50 per 1000 names (or part of)

    Electoral Services Office
    Room 259
    Bedford Borough Council
    Town Hall
    St. Paul's Square
    Bedford
    MK40 1SJ



    SERVICES A-Z

    Voting
    Electoral Services


    RELATED PAGES

    Schedule of Elections 2008
    Polling Districts and Places Review
    Democracy
    Voting
    Election Results
    Election Information
    Butterfly Bridge