Electoral Register

The Register of Electors

The Register of Electors contains details of everyone who has registered to vote. It is used to determine who can vote at elections while the Register is in force. A new Register is published at least once a year, no later than 1st December. A revised version may be published at other times if, for example, major changes are made to the Register in the course of the year.

Register Updates

The current version of the Register comes into force on 1st December each year and is updated on a monthly basis (except during the months of September, October and November) to reflect changes in people’s circumstances as they occur. For example, if you move house and notify the Electoral Registration Officer of the change early in March, your name could be added to the Register on 1 April.

Versions of the Register

Electors can choose to have their names excluded from the version of the Register made available for sale (the “Edited Register”) whilst remaining on the version used at elections (the “Full Register”). The intention behind the change is to safeguard the privacy of electors and restrict unwanted “junk mail”. In relation to the interests of the democratic process however the Full Register, which is a public document, is available for inspection throughout the registration area at public libraries, some council offices and at the Board’s offices. The Full Register is also provided to elected representatives (Councillors, MPs MSPs) and to political parties and councils in connection with the democratic process. It is also provided for Credit Checking purposes to authorised agencies and for Law Enforcement purposes.