The register of electors and the open register
The register of electors (sometimes called the 'electoral roll' or the 'electoral register') lists the names and addresses of everyone who's registered to vote.
There are two versions of the register:
- the full register of electors
- the open register of electors (previously known as the 'edited register' of electors)
The full register of electors
The full register lists everyone entitled to vote in elections. It can only be viewed on request and by appointment.
By law, the full register is only available to certain people and organisations and can only be used for specified purposes.
These include:
- electoral purposes
- prevention and detection of crime
- checking identities for credit applications
It's a criminal offence for this register to be used for any other purpose. Anyone inspecting the full register may only make a handwritten copy of the extract they're inspecting.
The open register of electors
Anyone can buy a copy of the open register, and they may use it for any purpose, including marketing. You should consider your privacy and whether you want to 'opt out' of the open register.
Find out more about viewing and purchasing copies of the Register of Electors.
Opting-out of the open register
When you apply to join or update the register of electors, you can choose to have your name and address excluded from the open register – meaning that your details cannot be bought to use for marketing purposes.
You can also opt-out of the open register by making a ‘declaration’ to Electoral Services at any time, that you do not want your personal data to be used for the purposes of direct marketing, in accordance with section 11 of the Data Protection Act 1998*.
If you wish to opt-out of the open register, please make your declaration to Electoral Services by email, by phone, or by post using the details at the bottom of the page. You must include your full name and address in your declaration. Each registered elector must make their own declaration, you cannot change someone else’s opt-out status on their behalf.
Also see