You must be registered to vote before you can take part in an election. You only need to register again if your details change, such as your name or address. You are not automatically registered to vote even if you pay Council Tax or have registered to use other council services.

Who can register

You are able to register if:

• aged 16 or over
• a British citizen or an Irish citizen
• have permission to enter or stay in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man - or you do not need permission - and you’re a: Commonwealth citizen, citizen of Denmark, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal or Spain/ or citizen of another EU country, if you have had permission to enter or stay - or not needed permission - since 31 December 2020, and this has continued without a break

By law, you must register to vote or you could be fined up to £80.

If you are not on the register you may find it harder to get a loan, mortgage, finance agreement, or even a mobile phone contract as the register is used by credit reference agencies.

What happens next

After you have applied, we will need to check and process your application. If your details match government records, we will confirm by post.

If your details do not match, we will ask you for ID such as:

• a copy of your passport
• driving licence
• other documents

Your name can take up to six weeks to show on the register of electors. This is dependent on when you register to vote. Credit reference agencies receive a copy of all monthly updates and revised register to update their records.

A revised register is published each year on 1 December. You can view a printed copy of the register at Torquay Library under supervision. You will need to contact the library to make an appointment. You will not be able to make a copy of the register. Only handwritten notes are allowed.

Other ways to apply

If you cannot register online, you can download a paper form.

When someone dies

If a member of your household has passed away use the Tell Us Once service and we will be notified. Alternatively, you can contact the elections team. 

Removing someone from the electoral register if they no longer live at the property

If there is someone who is registered at your address but they no longer live there, let us know so we can update the electoral register. Return any post we have sent to them clearly marked as 'not at this address'.