Register to vote

The electoral register is a record of everyone in the borough entitled to vote. The annual canvass takes place between August and November, and is based on where you are living on 15 October of that year. To keep the register up to date, a registration form is delivered to all households in the borough at the end of August and must be completed and returned.

The names of all citizens who are 18 and over, and approaching 18, from Britain, Ireland, a qualifying Commonwealth country, a British dependent territory or a European Union country must be included. To qualify, Commonwealth citizens must be resident in the UK and either have leave to remain in the UK or not require such leave - list of eligible countries. 

Bulgaria and Romania joined the European Union on 1 January 2007 and citizens of these countries are eligible to register and vote in council and European parliamentary elections from this date.

It is a legal requirement for residents to complete the registration form that is delivered to them. If forms are not completed personal visits will be made to non-responding properties to obtain the information required.

Registration forms

If the printed details on the electoral registration form are correct and there are no changes (except members of the household deciding to be left off the edited register) you can use the free telephone response number or the website address shown on the form. You will need to have your form in front of you to use the freephone number or website address and to enter the security codes.

If you have changes to the names on the form, you need to return the form by post as we require a hard copy signature on behalf of all new names on the form.

Electoral register

The register of electors is published on 1 December. There are now two versions of the electoral register – the full register and the edited register. The full register is available to view (under supervision) in the Central Library and Ealing Town Hall. The edited register, which can be purchased, can be viewed in libraries and Ealing Town Hall.

The full register

The full register shows the names and addresses of everyone who is entitled to vote. All voters must be included in the full register. The law gives details of who can have a copy of the register and what purposes it can be used for. These purposes include elections to prevent and detect crime to check your identity when you apply for credit. It is a criminal offence to pass on copies of the full register or use it for any other purpose.

The edited register

Anyone can buy a copy of the edited register and use it for any purpose eg direct mailing companies may use it to send you information about their goods and services.

You can now choose to have your name excluded from the edited register. If you do not want your details shown on the edited register you must inform us. There are opt-out boxes on the registration form which you must tick. If you are using the freephone or internet service, follow the instructions when you call.

Rolling registration

If you move into a new address in the borough or your name has not been included in the register or your personal details have changed, we can send you a form immediately to register to vote. Your details will then be entered on the register. The register will show all new updates at the beginning of the month.

There is no monthly update during September, October or November during the annual canvass period, when all households have to register.

For further information or to request an application
Tel: (020) 8825 7777.
Email: elections@ealing.gov.uk