The electoral register (sometimes called the electoral roll) lists the names and addresses of everyone whos registered to vote.

Use the register to vote service to get on the electoral register.

To update your details (for example change your name or address) you should either:

• use the register to vote service if you live in the UK
• contact the electoral registration office that confirmed you are registered as an overseas voter if you live abroad

To check whether youre already on the register:

• contact your electoral registration office if you live in England, Scotland or Wales
• use the Am I Registered service if you live in Northern Ireland

The annual canvass

From July each year, electoral registration offices (EROs) contact households to check if the details on the electoral register are correct. They may also tell you to register to vote if youre not already registered. This is called the annual canvass.

You will be contacted by post, email, phone or by someone knocking on your door.

There is no annual canvass in Northern Ireland.

What happens if you do not register

You must register to vote if an electoral registration officer asks you to do so and you meet the conditions for registering.

You will not be fined if you have a valid reason for not registering, for example a long stay in hospital, or you have severe learning difficulties.

When you can register in more than one place

Its sometimes possible to register at 2 addresses (though you can only vote once in any election).

For example, if youre a student with different home and term-time addresses, you may be able to register at both.

Register to vote twice if you live at 2 addresses.