How to Register

How do I get an electoral registration form?

You can download and complete an electoral Registration application form (PDF)

The form must be printed and signed before being sent (by post or fax) to us.

Post to:
Electoral Registration Officer
Thanet District Council
Cecil Street
Margate

Kent  CT9 1XZ

Or fax to: (01843) 290906

Alternatively you can request a form to be posted to you by contacting 01843 577500 or by sending an e-mail to electoral.services@thanet.gov.uk

To be able to vote at any election we must receive your completed electoral registration form by the eleventh working day before the election.

Who can Register?

You can register if you are 17 or over (but you cannot vote until you are 18)

A British, Irish Republic or Commonwealth citizen, a citizen of a European Union country living in the UK or a citizen of the Channel Islands or Isle of Man living in the UK.

• Full list of who can register to vote (link to Electoral Commission website)

You need to register at the address you are living at unless you are living overseas, in the Armed Forces or a Crown Servant. If you are a British citizen resident overseas, or in the Armed Services, or are a Crown Servant serving overseas, find out about registering to vote and voting by visiting the Electoral Commission website.

How to apply

During the autumn

Each year, during the autumn, we send Voter Registration Forms to each property.  This is known as the Annual Canvass. The forms are preprinted with the names of those people who are currently registered at that address.  If any of the names have changed or your name is missing, you should correct the form and send it back by post.  Every property is required to respond and the details we receive are used to produce the new Register of Electors published by 1st December.

The rest of the Year

You can be added to the Register during the rest of the year by completing a Electoral Registration Form.  This is called Rolling Registration and the Register is updated on a monthly basis from December through to August.  This is ideal if you have missed the opportunity to register during the Annual Canvass.

Rolling Registration Dates for 2012

The Full and Edited Register – What are they?

There are two versions of the electoral register, the full register and the edited register. 

1. The full register is used for elections, the prevention and detection of crime and checking applications for credit. It lists the names of everyone who is entitled to vote in the Thanet District Council area. 
   
2. The edited register is available for general sale and can be used for any purpose including commercial activities such as marketing.

Your details will appear on the full register but you can choose not to have your name showing on the edited register.

What happens next?

We will write to you to acknowledge receipt of your application, usually on the day it is received. Provided there are no objections then your name will be added to the register in accordance with the above rolling registration timetable.

We will also inform your previous local authority that you are now registered in this area, provided that you have given us details of your previous address.

E-mail:
electoral.services
@thanet.gov.uk

Tel: 01843 577500

Fax: 01843 291640