Registering to vote
Registering to vote
Please register to vote as soon as you can to avoid missing out on any important elections. Your application is checked by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) before we can add you to the electoral register. We may need to do further checks if the DWP cannot match your details. This usually takes a few days but can take up to a few weeks.
How do I register?
You can register to vote online. To register, you'll need to provide the following details which helps make the electoral register more secure:
National Insurance Number
Date of Birth
This process will take approximately 5 minutes.
Who can vote
You can register to vote in the UK if:
- You're a British, Irish or European Citizen, living in the UK and aged 16 or over
- You're a Commonwealth Citizen with leave to remain in the UK, aged 16 or over
You can still register at an address in Maidstone if:
- You're a lodger and have no other home
- You normally live there but are temporarily away. For example you may be in hospital, a student or away travelling
- You have no fixed address, but have a connection to the area
- You’re only 16 or 17
- You have another home elsewhere
If you:
- Have no fixed address
- Are a member of the armed forces, their partner or family member
- Are a Crown servant or British Council employee
- Are responsible for patients in mental hospitals or remand prisoners or
- Are a British Citizen living abroad
Email: electoralservices@maidstone.gov.uk.
How do I update my details on the electoral register?
You can update your details online.
Registering yourself twice
Students
If you're a student studying away from home, at college or university, you can register to vote at both your home and term-time address.
Second homes
If you have a second home and live there regularly, you can register at both properties.
Voting
When a local election is taking place students and those with a second home can vote at both properties. When a general election is taking place you can choose to vote at either property, but you can only vote once.
How do I check if I am registered to vote?
When you register to vote you should receive written confirmation that you have been registered successfully.
The Household Enquiry Form confirms who is currently registered at a property. This is sent out in July. The form must be returned to continue registration for the next year.
If you are unsure if you're registered please email: electoralservices@maidstone.gov.uk
What is the Electoral Register?
Versions
There are two versions of the main register and they are published once a year:
- The Full Register and;
- The Edited (Open) Register
After being published, updates to both versions of the register are made on a rolling basis throughout the year. This is called the Rolling Register.
The Full Register
The Full Register lists everyone who is entitled to vote. Only certain people and organisations can have copies of the Full Register and they can only use it for specific purposes. For example elections, law enforcement and credit referencing.
The Edited (Open) Register
The Edited Register leaves out the names and address of people who have asked to opt out. Opting out will mean details won’t be passed on to third parties and may prevent junk mail.
You can opt out of the open register on our online form.
Opt out of the Edited Register
The Rolling Register
This Rolling Registers are updated monthly throughout the year.
How to view the electoral register
If you would like to view the electoral register please email: electoralservices@maidstone.gov.uk
Keeping the register up to date
As part of our annual canvass we're required to send a Household Enquiry Form (HEF) to all households in Maidstone. The HEF asks you to confirm the details we have on the electoral register are correct.
Make a change to the electoral register
You can tell us if you have changed your name or whether you would like to opt in or opt out of the Edited Register by using our online form.
Opt out of the Electoral Register
If you would like to opt out of the electoral register please click the button below.