Electoral Register

How do I get my name on the Electoral Register?

The quickest way to register is online

Please visit www.gov.uk/register-to-vote and follow the instructions to register online.

PLEASE NOTE: You will need to supply your national insurance number and date of birth during this process.

If you cannot register online please contact us using the details below. Please provide your address and the names of anyone eligible to register. We will then post registration forms out to you.

How do I change my name on the Register?

You will need to inform the Electoral Services team of your new name, they will need to send you a form which must be completed. You will also need to provide evidence, usually a marriage certificate or deed poll, but please do not send any original documents as they cannot be returned by post. If you vote by post and your signature has changed you will also need to re-apply for a postal vote otherwise you risk your ballot papers being rejected.

Register of Electors

The Register of Electors (Electoral Roll) is a list of all the people eligible to vote who reside in the area. The Register of Electors is usually published on the 1 December each year and is in force for the following twelve months.

There are two versions of the electoral register - the full register and the edited register.

The Full Register

The Full Register - lists everyone who is entitled to vote. The register can be viewed under supervision at the council offices, you may only make handwritten notes, you must not use the information for commercial or marketing purposes, you may only be able to view the register for a limited time. Please note the Register is ordered by address only and is not searchable by name. Only certain people and organisations can have copies of the full register, and they can only use it for specified purposes. These include electoral purposes, the prevention and detection of crime and checking your identity when you apply for financial arrangements.

Details of others who can have copies of the full register and what they can use it for are given in the Representation of the People (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2002 (SI 2002 No.1871). It is a criminal offence not to comply with the regulations. For example, it is a criminal offense either to pass the full register on to anyone or to use it for any purpose, except as allowed by the regulations. These regulations are available on the internet at www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk or you can buy a copy from The Stationery Office Ltd.

The Edited Register

The Edited Register - leaves out the names and addresses of people who have asked for their names to be excluded from that version of the register. The edited register can be bought by anyone on request and they may use it for any purpose. There are prescribed fees for the purchase of this register. To purchase this register please contact the electoral services office at 01905 722530 or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

You can choose whether to opt out at the time of registering. Or you can change your preference any time by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., please include your full name and registered address in your email.

Who is eligible to vote?

In order to be included on the Register of Electors you need to be:-

• a resident at a qualifying address in the area

• aged 18 years or over, but you can apply from 16

• not subject to any legal incapacity to vote (age apart)

• one or more of the following:

• a British, Commonwealth, or Irish citizen

• a European Union citizen who meets certain immigration criteria

• If you are a British citizen living overseas, including service members and their spouses, you can register to vote

EU citizens are allowed to vote in Local Elections only.

Overseas Electors are allowed to vote in Parliamentary Elections only.

Why should I register?

• If you do not register then you cannot exercise your democratic right to vote in any election.
• Financial institutions use the Register of Electors for credit reference purposes and if you are not included you may find it difficult to obtain credit, open a bank account, purchase a contract mobile phone, or get a mortgage.
• It is your responsibility to register and it is an offence to fail to do so. You can be fined up to £1,000 for failing to return your Annual Canvass form.

How can I view the Register?

The electoral register is available for public inspection under supervision.

 We recommend that you contact us to book a time to inspect the register before visiting by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The inspection will take place at:

Worcester City Council
The Guildhall
High Street
Worcester
WR1 2EY

What if I am unable to get to the polling station on election day?

If you are unable to go to your Polling Station on Election Day, you can apply to vote by post or apply to vote by proxy (a proxy is someone who votes on your behalf).

Please note; you must be a registered elector in order to be granted a postal or proxy vote. To check if you are registered please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and include your name and address. You can register online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.

What is a postal vote?

A postal vote means that you receive your ballot paper by post before the election and return it the same way. Instructions on how to complete the postal vote will be included with the ballot paper.

If you have a postal vote you will not be allowed under any circumstances to vote in person at the polling station.

You can apply for a postal vote at a particular election, a specific period, or for the maximum period of up to three years.

You do not need to provide a reason for requesting a postal vote unless you are requesting it be sent to an address other than your registered address.

You can apply for a postal vote online at the gov.uk website.

If you need a paper form, you can download a copy from the Electoral Commission website or contact us and we can post one to you.

If you have already been appointed as a proxy for another elector and you wish to receive your proxy vote by post you need to complete a slightly different paper form, please contact us for this.

Applications for a postal vote must be received no later than 5pm, 11 working days before an election. This is also the deadline for an existing postal voter to cancel, or make any changes to, your postal vote.

What is a proxy vote?

A proxy vote allows you to appoint another person to vote on your behalf, either at a polling station or by post, the person you appoint must be a registered elector. To be eligible to appoint a proxy, you must give a reason for your inability to attend the polling station.

for example:

• You have a physical disability.
• Your job takes you away from home on a permanent or unpredictable basis, or on the day of the election.
• You will be on holiday when the election takes place.

If you are applying to appoint a proxy for the long-term, and are not registered as an Overseas or Service voter, you will also need to provide evidence or a supporting attestation for your disability or employment.

If you appoint a proxy and your circumstances change so that you are able to get to the polling station, you may vote yourself provided that the proxy has not already voted on your behalf or applied to cast your vote by post.

If you are applying for a proxy for a particular election, or are an Overseas or Service voter applying for a long-term proxy, you can apply online at the gov.uk website.

If you cannot apply online, or are applying for a long-term proxy for reasons of disability or employment, you can download a paper form from the Electoral Commission website or contact us and we can post one to you.

Applications for a proxy vote must be made no later than 5pm, 6 working days before an election. If your circumstances change after this date you may be able to apply for an emergency proxy. You can apply for this up to 5pm on polling day but you may need to provide evidence or a supporting declaration. Please contact the Electoral Services team to apply.

Please return all completed Application Forms to:

Electoral Registration Officer
Worcester City Council
The Guildhall
High Street
Worcester
WR1 2EY

If in any doubt please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for further advice.

Petition Notice – Verification Number

The Council can be petitioned to hold a referendum on whether our district should change to a different form of governance.

The Local Authorities (Referendums) (Petitions) (England) Regulations 2011 requires Worcester City Council to publish the minimum number of signatures (equivalent to 5% of the District's local government electorate) which would be needed to support a valid petition requiring the council to hold a referendum on whether the district should change to a different form of governance.

From 15 February 2026 the minimum number of signatures to support a valid petition is 3,787. This number will apply to any petition submitted to the District Council before 1 April 2027.

A new number will be published in February 2027 and if the new number is less than 3,787, then the new number will apply from the date it is published.