Introduction
Make sure that you are able to vote in local and national elections. You can register to vote by clicking on the button below which will take you to GOV.UK.
If you have any questions relating to the Electoral Registration process or the Register itself, please contact our helpline on 01733 452249 or email electoralservices@peterborough.gov.uk.
The choice you have to make
If you put a cross in the box on the voter registration form, your name and address will only appear on the full register. If you do not put a cross in the box on the voter registration form, your name will also appear on the edited version of the Register, which anyone can buy. This means anyone can use your details for any purpose.
The Electoral Register
The Register of Electors is held at your local council office, who you should contact if you are unsure if you are on the Register or would like to check details on this.
The Electoral Register lists the name and address of everyone who has registered to vote. By law, your local authority has to make the Electoral Registration available for anyone to look at. Until now, any company, organisation or person could buy a copy of the Register. But the Government has changed the law so that you now have a choice about who can buy details of your name and address. Under the changes there are two versions of the register: the full version and the edited version.
Full Register
The Full Register has the names and addresses of everyone registered to vote and is updated every month. Anyone can look at it, but copies can only be supplied for certain purposes, such as elections and law enforcement. Credit reference agencies are also allowed to use the Full Register, but only to check your name and address if you are applying for credit, and to help stop money laundering. Anyone who has a copy of the Register will be committing a criminal offence if they unlawfully pass on information from it. You do not have a choice about your name and address being on this register.
Edited (Open) Register
The Edited Register (Open Register) will be available for general sale and can be used for any purpose. You can choose not to be on it. It will be kept separate from the full register and updated every month. The edited register can be bought by any person, company or organisation and could be used for different purposes such as checking your identity and commercial activities such as marketing.