Register of Electors 2011
Each year the Council has to produce a new and accurate Register of Electors. The Annual Canvass forms for 2011 will shortly be sent to all households in South Gloucestershire.
In 2009 South Gloucestershire Council introduced an automated response service for the Annual Canvass. This allowed households to respond by text, freephone or by internet if there were no changes to the household information. In 2009 18% of our annual canvass responses were by automated means. Last year, the number of responses received by the automated response service increased to 32%.
Using the automated response service is a quick and easy way to advise us of NO CHANGES in your household. By using your unique security code (provided on the voter registration form) you can respond via:
Freephone - call 0800 197 3114
Internet - visit www.registerbyinternet.com/southglos
Text your unique security code to 80212
When you confirm 'no changes' to the details of your household by freephone, internet or text, you will also be asked if you wish to be excluded from the edited register made available to third parties. Select YES if you do not wish your details to be sold. More details on 'opting out' can be found below.
We only need your paper form returned if there are CHANGES to the information held on our register.
If you have lost your form or need help please contact a member of the team on 01454 863030.
Electoral Register
There are two versions of the Electoral Register, a full copy and an edited copy.
The FULL copy lists the name and address of everyone who is registered to vote. The Council holds a copy. Anyone can look at it, but it is a criminal offence to supply and use copies for purposes other than set down in law. The main use of the full register is to show who can vote in elections and referendums. Credit reference agencies can use it, but only if you are applying for credit and for other purposes specified in law. It can also be used for law enforcement.
The EDITED register is available for general sale and can be used for any purpose. If you do not want your details to be sold, tick the last column. This is called opting out. If you want your details to be available for sale then ensure the last column is blank (ie no tick).
If you have lost your form or need help please contact a member of the team on 01454 863030.
Registration
South Gloucestershire Council maintains a register which contains details of all citizens who may be eligible to vote within South Gloucestershire.
The register is reviewed and re-published annually on 1st December. Household registration forms are sent to every household in the area at the beginning of September to gather details of all eligible electors.
Between December and mid August each year electors can apply to be added to the electoral register through monthly rolling registration. In this case, the elector's name will not appear on the printed version of the register which is published only once a year, but will be be put on the computer database. This means that in the event of an election electors will receive a poll card and will be on the electoral register at the relevant polling station if their registration was made in time.
Some people on the register may not be able to vote in certain types of election. For example, members of the House of Lords and European Union citizens can only vote in local government and European parliamentary elections and not British parliamentary elections.
If an elector moves home between annual revisions, he or she may apply to be added to the register under their new address. Registration forms are available from Electoral Services or can be downloaded from the link on the right hand side of the page.
Special Category Electors
Overseas Electors
If you are living overseas you may be entitled to register to vote. Please contact Electoral Services on 01454 863030 for advice and further information.
Service Voters
As a member of HM Forces (or a spouse of Service personnel) there are special provisions for your electoral registration. Please contact Electoral Services on 01454 863030 for advice and further information.
Anonymous registration
In exceptional circumstances it is possible to register anonymously. Please contact Electoral Services on 01454 863030 for confidential advice and further information. Checking registration
You can call or email Electoral Services to check whether you are on the register. Alternatively you may inspect a printed version of it
- In branch libraries
- At the Kingswood and Yate one-stop shops
- At the council offices in Thornbury
Please note: a branch library will only contain the section of the electoral register covering the area local to that library.
Elections in South Gloucestershire
Elections for South Gloucestershire Council and parish councils are held every four years. The last elections were held on the 5 May 2011 and the next elections for South Gloucestershire Council will be held on the first Thursday in May 2015.
British Parliamentary elections have to be held at least every five years. They are the only elections for which the date is not fixed in advance. The last General Election was held on Thursday 6th May 2010.
European parliamentary elections are held every five years. The last European parliamentary election was held on 4 June 2009. The next European parliamentary election will be held on the first Thursday in June 2013.
By-elections are held to fill any vacancies which may occur during the period between elections. Vacancies can arise due to the death or resignation of a councillor, MP or MEP. These elections can be held at any time.