Search

Democratic Services

Email:
electoral.services
@thanet.gov.uk

 

Phone: 01843 577500

Fax: 01843 291640

Electoral FAQs

Q. What is the electoral register?

A. The electoral register is the list of everyone who is registered to vote. You must be on the register to vote at elections. You are not automatically registered, even if you pay Council Tax.

 

Q. Who can register to vote?

A. Anyone 16 or over (but you cannot vote until your 18th birthday).

British or Commonwealth citizens.

Citizens of the Irish Republic or other European Union (EU) countries.

Citizens of EU countries other than the UK or Irish Republic cannot vote in Westminster parliamentary elections, and must fill in a separate form to vote in European parliamentary elections.

If you are in the armed forces, you can register using the standard electoral registration form - or as a service voter by completing a service declaration form. Residents of mental hospitals, homeless people and remand prisoners can register using a ‘declaration of local connection’. Convicted prisoners are not eligible to vote. Please contact the Electoral Services Helpline for details.

Q. How do I register to vote?

A. Fill in the electoral registration form available by contacting the Electoral Services Helpline. You must be resident at the address when you make the application.

 

Make sure you sign the 'declaration'. The form must be signed by the applicant.

Return the form to the Electoral Services Office.

Register as soon as you can. It may be too late once an election has been announced as it may take up to seven weeks to add your details.

 

Q.How do I know if I am registered on the electoral register?

A.  Contact the Electoral Services Helpline: 01843 577500 to find out if you are registered.

Q.I’ve moved recently. Can I still vote?

A.  As long as you are registered on the electoral list you can vote. You can either return to the Polling Station for your former address, or apply to vote by post and have the ballot paper sent to your new address.

Q.Do I have to let you know if I move?

A. Registering to vote at a new address should become something that is part of the moving house process - just like notifying your gas and electricity suppliers.

 

 

Q.I've already let my local council know I've moved and am paying Council Tax at my new address.  Can they update the electoral register for me?

A.No, the only way you can update your electoral records is by filling in the electoral registration form.

Q.Can I put my whole family on the form?

A. No, you need a separate form for every person.  Each of them will have to sign their own form.  The form that you receive to complete annually (August/September) to update the register is a household, rather than a personal form.  It includes all qualified residents.

 

 

Q.What if I change my name?

A.If your name has changed, you can complete an amendment form.

Q.How long does it take to get my new details on the electoral register?

A.The register is updated at the beginning of the month, apart from September through to December when the annual canvass is undertaken.  Your details will take between two and seven weeks to be added, depending on when you submit the form.

Q.When will I receive my poll card?

A.Poll cards will be delivered a couple of weeks before the election.

Q. I have lost/did not receive my poll card. Can I still vote?

A. Polling Station staff have a list of everyone registered to vote and you can vote as long as they have your name. You do not need your poll card to vote. If you do not know where your Polling Station is contact the Electoral Services Helpline: 01843 577500.

Q.Where can I get information on the candidates standing for election?

A. The Council’s Returning Officer will publish a list of candidates seeking election - including their names, addresses and descriptions as given in their nomination papers. It also lists the names of people who signed their nomination papers. When published, the list will be displayed in the Council Offices and on the Council website. The candidates are responsible for issuing their own election addresses.