Useful tips

Is it compulsory to be on electoral register by law UK?

Is it compulsory to be on electoral register by law UK?

You must register to vote if you’re asked to do so and you meet the conditions for registering, for example you’re 16 or over and you’re British or a national of an EU or Commonwealth country. If you’re asked to register and do not, you could be fined.

What does RW mean on electoral register?

Guide to abbreviations and further reading

Abbreviation Meaning
R (Rw) Residential qualification (women)
S Service (military) voter
U Citizen of Europe, entitled to vote in European elections only
X Not entitled to vote in Parliamentary elections

Is it an Offence not to register on electoral roll?

It is a criminal offence to vote twice in a UK general election. Even if you are registered in two areas – at home and at university – you can only vote in one at a general election. However, if your home and university addresses are in two different local authority areas, you can vote in local elections in both.

Is it compulsory to be on the electoral register?

Registration is compulsory if you are eligible You must register to vote if you are asked to and you are eligible. Gov.uk provides more information on the types of elections and who can vote in them.

Is it against the law not to vote?

Is Voting Mandatory in the United States? In the U.S., no one is required by law to vote in any local, state, or presidential election. Many constitutional amendments have been ratified since the first election. However, none of them made voting mandatory for U.S. citizens.

Can the council fine you for not registering to vote?

You can register to vote if you are 16 years of age and over but you will not be able to vote until you’re 18. It is a criminal offence to refuse to complete the registration form or to give false information, carrying a fine of up to £1,000.

Is the electoral roll anything to do with council tax?

Council tax records hold the name of the bill payer, but not necessarily all the people who live at the property. For this and many other legal reasons, the electoral registration officer is not allowed to take names from council tax and add them to the electoral register.

Can I be fined for not voting UK?

to vote in elections and referendums you must be on the electoral register. you can be fined up to £80 if you don’t register to vote. if you’re not on the register, you may find it difficult getting credit for a loan, mortgage or other financial agreement.

How much do you get fined if you don’t vote in Australia?

The penalty for first time offenders is $20 and this increases to $50 if you have previously paid a penalty or been convicted of this offence. If you do not have a valid and sufficient reason for not voting, you can pay the penalty and that will end the matter.

How can I register as an overseas voter in the UK?

There are other registration options, including registering as a service voter, registering anonymously, and registering if you don’t have a fixed address. When you register as an overseas voter, you’ll use the UK address where you were last registered to vote.

How does the electoral register work in the UK?

By 20 July the assessors and collectors of taxes had to report to the overseers the names of those who were in arrears with payment of their rates. The overseers then compiled a draft electoral register of all those they considered as being qualified to vote.

Can you opt out of the electoral register?

The opt out When registering, please indicate if you do not want your details included in the version of the register that is for sale – the edited register. Opting-out of this does not affect your voting rights or credit status. The full register is available for inspection at the electoral office and at

When do I need to renew my electoral registration?

When it’s time to renew your registration, you’ll get a reminder from your electoral registration office explaining what you need to do. You should receive the reminder about three months before your registration is due to expire. If you don’t renew your application, you’ll have to register to vote again. Where do you live?