Registering to vote is quick and easy. You can register to vote online.
You will need to provide your name, address, date of birth and also your National Insurance Number. Your National Insurance Number can be found on your National Insurance card, or in official paperwork such as payslips, or letters about benefits or tax credits.
You can register to vote if you’re a resident in England and are at least 16 years old. You must also meet one of the following:
Find out more about the different types of elections and referendums and who’s eligible to vote.
The Register of Electors is not automatically updated when you notify the Council Tax section.
You can register to vote at your new address.
If you’re a British citizen and you used to live in Portsmouth, you’re eligible to register as an overseas voter. Overseas voters are eligible to vote in parliamentary elections and national referendums in the UK.
To complete your registration, you’ll need your national insurance number, passport details and your previous UK address.
Find out more about voting if you move or live abroad.
If you are a member of the armed forces, or a husband, wife or registered civil partner of a service voter, you have the option to register as a service voter. If you are often posted overseas, or if you move around frequently, registering as a service voter enables you to remain registered at a fixed UK address. Service voter registrations are valid for a period of five years.
If you pay Council Tax, you’re not registered to vote automatically.
The electoral register is not updated automatically if you pay council tax because the criteria are different. For example, the council tax may be paid by a landlord rather than residents of a property.
Visit the Electoral Commission’s website for more information.
There are two registers. Using information received from the public, registration officers keep two registers – the electoral register and the open register (also known as the edited register).
Find out more about the electoral and open register both registers and how they can be used on GOV.UK.
The electoral register lists the names and addresses of everyone who is registered to vote in public elections. The register is used for electoral purposes, such as making sure only eligible people can vote. It is also used for other limited purposes specified in law, such as:
The open register is an extract of the electoral register, but it is not used for elections. It can be bought by any person, company or organisation. For example, it is used by businesses and charities to confirm name and address details. Your name and address will be included in the open register unless you ask for them to be removed. Removing your details from the open register does not affect your right to vote.
If you would like to remove your details from the open register, contact us at elections@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.
