Introduction

In a democratic country decisions that affect all our lives are made every day by local councillors and Members of Parliament, both in the United Kingdom and in Europe.

The role of the Council's Electoral Services Team is to ensure that every eligible Westminster resident can, if they wish, exercise their right to vote.

Can anyone register to vote in the City of Westminster?

No. You must be a British, Irish or Commonwealth citizen or a citizen of another European Union state and be resident in Westminster. Please see the 'Voter Registration: Frequently asked questions' section on this web site which provides a list of countries.All applicants, whether through the annual process or rolling registration, are required to state their nationality. Failure to do so may result in delay before your name can be added to the register. You must be over 18 years old to vote. However you can appear on the Register if you are 16 or 17. Your name will be shown with the date on which you will be eligible to vote, you will then be able to vote in any election that happens on or after your birthday.

Rolling Registration

Register now

Every autumn Electoral Services staff deliver a registration form to households in the City of Westminster. Although no one is obliged to vote, the law does require that this registration form is returned. Failure to do so may result in a fine of up to £1000. The 2008/9 Register of Electors was published on 1st December 2008

Between December and August you can register by completing an individual voter registration form. You can register as soon as you move into the City of Westminster. All you have to do is download and complete the voter registration form or telephone the electoral services team and ask for a form to be posted to you. Alternatively you can pick up a form at any one of our One Stop locations.

Under Rolling Registration, monthly updates are published showing the names of those that have been added, deleted or amended since the publication of the Register. The process is subject to strict deadlines. The date the form is received by us determines when the amendments to the Register will be made. The significant dates for 2008/9 are as follows,

These dates take into account the European Parliamentary elections to be held on the 4th June 2009.

Rolling Registration is suspended between September and December as the new register is compiled.

We also have special application forms for people living overseas; crown servants or diplomats and their dependants; remand prisoners; homeless people; and voluntary patients in mental health hospitals. Please seek further advice from electoral services.

How can I get a Voter Registration form?

You can contact Electoral Services (020 7 641 2730) and ask to be sent a voter registration form in order to be added to the register, or download and complete the form by clicking on one of the publications below:

Alternatively, you can collect a form from any of our One Stop services.

All those people registered to vote here in Westminster by the 1st March 2009 will receive confirmation in the form of an individual Elector Card. These cards will contain all the relevant information we hold on any electors registered at that address.

Anonymous Registration

You can apply to be registered anonymously if you believe that being on the register of electors could affect your safety. If you believe this to be the case please contact electoral services to find out more information and to be advised on what you should do next.