Register to vote
Registering to vote means you can have your say in future elections in Leicester.
Who can register?
You can register to vote if you are 16 years old (but you cannot vote until you are 18 years old); a British citizen, or an Irish, Commonwealth or European Union citizen who is resident in the UK. However, EU citizens (other than UK, Republic of Ireland, Cyprus and Malta) resident in the UK cannot vote in a UK Parliament election.
Everyone now has to register individually, rather than the head of a household providing details for everyone living at that address.
You now have to provide a few more details to register, including your date of birth and national insurance number. You can now register online.
How do I register?
The easiest way to register to vote is online. If you can't get online, you can call us on 0116 454 2000. Alternatively, registration forms are available from all our customer service centres.
Why should I register?
It is a legal requirement to register to vote. It also enables you to have your say and take part in the democratic process, which decides how the city and the country is run.
Your credit rating may be affected if you're not on the electoral register, which might affect your ability to get a mortgage, loan or mobile phone contract.
Students, overseas voters and service voters
Voting arrangements are different for students, overseas voters and service voters.
- During the local government elections, students can vote both at their home and term-time address if they wish, providing the addresses are not in the same local government area
- Any British citizen living overseas can vote in the UK for 15 years after they were last on the electoral register. You can vote in general elections, referendums and European elections, but you will not be allowed to vote in local or mayoral elections
- Members of the armed forces can register as a service voter if they live at a British Forces Post Office address, or are stationed overseas. Registration is valid for five years, and we will write to you before the application runs out so you can renew your declaration.
Registering anonymously
If you are concerned about your safety, you may be able to register anonymously so your details won't appear on the electoral register.
You should contact us to find out if you are entitled to register anonymously.
How do I know if I’m registered?
You can call us on 0116 454 2000, or visit our customer service centre at 91 Granby Street. The centre is open from 8.30am to 5pm from Monday to Thursday, and 8.30am to 4.30pm on Fridays (except bank holidays).
You can also find out more about the electoral register and how your information is used on our electoral register section.
Incorrect information?
We are writing to all households across the city with a list of everyone who we have registered to vote at that address.
If some or all of the people listed on your letter no longer live at the address, you can tell us by filling in the electoral services - notification of leaving form.