Register to vote

Check if you are registered to vote

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Nobody is automatically registered to vote: you must register to vote yourself. Even if you pay Council Tax to us, have an online account, or have a Trafford library card, you will need to have registered separately.

To check if you're registered contact us providing your full name and address. We'll reply within 5 working days. 

You cannot check on behalf of someone else.

How to register to vote

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  • Visit the register to vote website
  • Fill in your details. You’ll need your National Insurance number which can be found on your national insurance card, or in official paperwork such as payslips, or letters about benefits or tax credits. 

Why you should register

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  • The information is required by law
  • If you are not registered, you cannot vote in elections
  • You may find it difficult to get credit, loans, phone contracts, a mortgage or bank account as the register is used by credit reference agencies

Who can register

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You must:

  • be resident in the electoral area. If you don't have a fixed address you'll need to complete a declaration of local connection form, you can download an application form online or paper copies of this form can be collected from our office at Trafford Town Hall, Stretford, Manchester M32 0TH. 
  • be a British, Irish, Commonwealth citizen or citizen of a European Union country
  • be 18 or over, or turn 18 during the life of the registering period
  • not be subject to any legal incapacity to vote

Registration dates 2024

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After the publication of 1 February register, we update the register as part of the rolling registration procedure. However, applications need to be received by the last date for applications date, which is shown in the table, to be included on the next monthly update to the register.

Rolling registration dates for the 2024 register
Last date for applicationsDate added to the register
Thursday 8 February  Friday 1 March 
Monday 11 March  Tuesday 2 April 
Tuesday 9 April  Wednesday 1 May 
Friday 10 May  Monday 3 June 
Friday 7 June  Monday 1 July 
Wednesday 10 July  Thursday 1 August 2
Friday 9 August  Monday 2 September 
Monday 9 September  Tuesday 1 October 
Thursday 10 October  Friday 1 November 

The register of electors

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We make two versions of the register, the full register and the open register.

The full register

The full register lists everyone who is registered to vote. It is used for law enforcement and by credit reference agencies, but only to check your name and address if you are applying for credit and other purposes specified in the law.

It is a criminal offence to give, or use, copies of it for purposes other than those set down in legislation. It is available for inspection under supervision at our offices at Trafford Town Hall.

The open register

The open register (also known as the edited register) is available for general sale and can be used for any purpose and be bought by anyone – including for marketing purposes.

Electors who have requested to ‘opt out’ of the open register will not have their details included on the open register.

How to 'opt out’ of the open register

You can 'opt out' of the open register by completing our opt out form. If you are registering online you can click in the box if you want your name and address to be removed from the open register.

Viewing the register

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You can inspect the electoral register by appointment at Trafford Town Hall, Talbot Road, Stretford, Manchester M32 0TH, contact us to make an appointment.

Inspection conditions

  • Inspection of the register will be under supervision
  • You can take extracts from the register, but only by hand written notes
  • Information taken must not be used for direct marketing purposes, in accordance with the Data Protection Act, unless it has been published in the edited version

Anyone who fails to observe these conditions is committing a criminal offence and will be charged a penalty of up to £5,000.

Historical registers

Once a new register is published, the previous version of the register is no longer available for public inspection.

Registers are not available for public inspection until 10 years after their first public inspection date has past. After a 10 year period has elapsed, historical copies of the full electoral register are available for supervised inspection from the Local Studies Library, 24 hours notice is required if you wish to view these registers.

Privacy notice

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Visit our privacy notice web page for further information on:

  • how your information is used
  • how we maintain the security of your information
  • your rights to access information we hold on you