How do I register to vote?
The registration system changed in June 2014. It is now the individual's responsibility to make sure they are registered on the electoral register.
You can register online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote, You will need to provide your name, new address, old address, National Insurance number and your date of birth.
You need to be on the electoral register to vote in UK elections and referendums. You are not automatically registered even if you pay council tax. The electoral register is the list of everyone who is registered to vote.
Who can register to vote
You can register to vote if you are:
- 16 years old or over and
- a British citizen
- an Irish, EU or qualifying Commonwealth citizens. Qualifying Commonwealth citizens are those who have leave to enter or remain in the UK, or do not require such leave.
There is also another category of elector:
- Anonymous - you can register as an anonymous elector for safety reasons - for example you are escaping violence. To register anonymously you will need documentary evidence like a court order or an injunction. Please contact us for more details.
Electoral Register Canvass 2020
Find out what you need to do for the 2020 electoral register canvass.
Every year the government asks us to check the details of everyone registered to vote in households across Hart. This year, we will be carrying out this exercise between August and November.
Impact of Covid-19 on this year's canvass
The canvass process is required by law. It has not been suspended as a result of Covid-19.
When you're contacted, if you need to make a change to your registration information, please respond as soon as you can. It will make sure the process runs smoothly. It also means there will be no need for any additional contact, which is particularly important at the moment.
Changes for this year
This year, we're streamlining what we do by comparing data we hold against council tax records and the department for work and pensions in advance.
If everything matches for your household, you should then receive a letter to confirm that everything matches, and you won't need to do anything - unless you need to make changes.
If we can't find a full match for your household, we'll send you a letter to ask you to confirm who's eligible to vote at your home. If you receive a letter, please check if the information is correct and follow the full instructions.
Confirming or updating your information is quick and simple. It will mean that you will continue to be registered and you won't lose your right to vote.
Letters to confirm or make changes to your information on the electoral register 
If you receive a letter from us, please follow the instructions carefully.
If you need to confirm or make changes to the information on the electoral register, you can do this using the household enquiry website for Hart. This includes starting the process of removing people.
You will need to enter part 1 and part 2 of the security codes shown on your letter.
Adding new people to your household (two-part process)
If anyone new is added, each person will then need to register individually. They can do this at Register to vote - GOV.UK website. They will need their national insurance number to complete the process.
Making a change to open register preferences for others in your household
If you are the person completing the online enquiry, you can make changes to your preferences and decide if you want your information to be included in the open register.
The security codes can only be used once, so anyone else who wants to make changes to their open register option can use: our changing your open register preference online form. If you have informed us in previous years, you do not need to do so again.
The electoral register contains the names and addresses of everyone who is registered to vote. You can view the electoral register at the Civic Offices. Only certain organisations are allowed to have copies of the electoral register. It can only be used for: electoral purposes, crime prevention and detection, and the vetting of applicants for credit. It is a criminal offence to use it for any unauthorised purpose or to pass it on to anyone else.
The open register is available for general sale and can be used for any purpose, including commercial activities such as marketing. It excludes the names and addresses of people who have opted out.
Cancel your postal or proxy votes
If you have a postal or proxy vote and decide you want to cancel it, you can do so using our cancel your postal or proxy vote online form.
To arrange to vote by post or by proxy (someone voting on your behalf at your polling station) more information can be found on the voting by post or proxy page.
The 2021 electoral register
We will produce a full and a public version of the electoral register on 1 December 2020.
If you have any enquiries regarding electoral services please contact us:-
Electoral and Registration Services
Civic Offices
Harlington Way
Fleet
GU51 4AE
Telephone 01252 774073, 01252 774157 or 01252 774158 or email elections@hart.gov.uk
