Frequently asked questions

Who is eligible to register to vote?

To qualify for registration, you must be:

  1. British, Irish, a citizen of a British Dependent Territory, a citizen of another Commonwealth Country or a citizen of a European Union Member State;

  2. resident at the address you were living at on the relevant date of 15 October; and

  3. 16 years old or over (you can vote as from your 18th Birthday).

If you are not eligible, you are still required by law during the annual canvass to complete the canvass form stating "NO ONE ELIGIBLE" in the name section of the form.

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Amendments to the electoral register

How do I get on the electoral register?

If you want to get on the electoral register outside the annual canvass period (August - December each year), you can register under 'rolling registration'.  Each person wishing to go on the register needs to complete a rolling registration form.  Further information about rolling registration is available.

I am registered for Council Tax, why am I not on the electoral register?

The Council Tax register and the electoral register are two separate registers and are completely different.

The Council Tax register may show the names of the owners and not necessarily the residents of the properties. For this reason, together with legal restrictions, the Electoral Registration Officer is not permitted to take names from the Council Tax register and put them on the electoral register and vice versa.

Someone is registered at my address who doesn't live here any more - can you take them off?

We can only remove electors:

  • as a result of the autumn canvass returns;
  • when we are advised by another local authority that the person has been registered by them; or 
  • if the elector advises us in writing that they have left the area and wish to be removed from the register. 

The elector cannot be removed, even if we are aware they no longer live at the address, unless one of these actions has taken place.

I have got married and changed my name and my name is wrong on the register - can I still vote and can you change it?

You can still vote, because the question to the elector at polling stations is "are you the person on the register shown as ...". 

During the annual canvass, write your new name on the Voter Registration Form sent to your address. 

At other times of the year, you need to advise Electoral Services of the change in writing, as your signature is required. Your amended details will be included on the monthly update of the electoral register. 

A relative has died, can you take them off the register?

A relative or executor should inform Electoral Services in writing of the death of an elector. 

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What if I don't register?

You have a legal obligation to register all those in your household who are eligible (see below).  Any person whose name is not shown in the register will lose their right to vote at any elections held in this country whilst the register is in force.

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The electoral register and voting

I am still registered at my old address, can I vote there?

Yes, you can vote from the address at which you are registered.  If you are registered at two addresses, you can only legally vote once at any individual election.

I am registered to vote at two addresses, can I vote twice?

You cannot vote twice in the same election, although you are allowed to register to vote at two different addresses.  You can can only vote once in the following elections:

  • Individual Local Electoral Area Elections (e.g if you live at two addresses in Woking, you cannot vote twice in Woking Borough Council elections).
  • Parliamentary (General) Elections; and
  • European Elections.

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Registering to vote - Annual Canvass

What is the Annual Canvass?

Every year, the Council will contact every property in the Borough to obtain the details of people over the age of 16 in order to compile the Electoral Register.  This register will be published at the start of December and will provide an accurate list of all people who are eligible to vote in elections.

It is vital that you register your details during the annual canvass, using the Voter Registration Form sent to your property, as it gives you and everyone in your household the right to vote and influence what happens in your community at a local, national and European level.  If you do not complete and return your canvass form, you may lose your right to vote.

The Annual Canvass is now in effect.  Please ensure that you complete and return the canvass form for your property as soon as possible.  Reminder forms will be issued in September, then a personal visit will be made in October to those properties that have not returned a form.

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Applying for a postal vote or a proxy vote

Why do I have to provide my signature and date of birth?

The signatures and dates of birth will be used to check that your vote is not being used by someone else.

What happens if I cannot provide a signature?

If you are unable to provide a signature, or require help to complete the form please contact Electoral Services.

Do I have to re-apply for a postal vote each year?

You can arrange a postal vote for the following periods:

  • permanently (until you advise us otherwise);
  • for a certain election; or
  • for a defined period.

If you would like to confirm your postal vote arrangements, please contact Woking Borough Council on 01483 755855 or email elections@woking.gov.uk. 

Do you have to send my postal vote to my home address? Can it be sent abroad?

The postal vote can now be sent to any address supplied by the elector at the time of application. It is the responsibility of the elector to ensure that Woking Borough Council receives the postal vote by the close of polls on polling day.

Please note: if you are already registered for a postal vote, and you would like to change the address to which your postal vote will be sent, you will now need to provide a reason to have your postal vote re-directed. 

Postal votes can be sent abroad, but please bear in mind that post sent to and from foreign addresses will take longer to arrive; in some cases, it may take too long for the postal vote to arrive in good time for the election.  Those living overseas are advised to consider appointing a proxy instead.

I've got a postal vote but don't want to use it - can I go to the polling station instead?

You can cancel your postal vote up to 5pm on the eleventh day before an election.

Once a postal vote has been issued, it cannot be cancelled and the elector cannot go to a polling station to cast a vote.  They can return their ballot paper to a polling station, but it must be sealed in the returning envelope together with all completed documentation and handed to the Presiding Officer.  It cannot be placed in the ballot box at the polling station.

Any Questions?

If you have any further queries, please contact Woking Borough Council on 01483 755855 or email elections@woking.gov.uk.

You can also find lots of information about elections and voting at www.electoralcommission.gov.uk and www.aboutmyvote.co.uk.