Register to vote

• How to register to vote online
• Why you should register
• Who can register
• Rolling registration dates for the 2021/2022 register
• The register of electors
• Viewing the register
• Privacy notice

How to register to vote online

• Visit the GOV.UK 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.

Most people who are already registered to vote are being moved onto the new system automatically.

Anyone not already registered at their current address will be sent an invitation to register form. Everyone is responsible for registering themselves.

IER makes it easier for you to register to vote online and helps tackle electoral fraud.

Why you should register

• 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

• You must be resident in the electoral area. If you don't have a fixed address you can make a 'declaration of local connection' via the new IER system. You will still need to provide your date of birth and National Insurance number.
• You must be a British, Irish, Commonwealth citizen or citizen of a European Union country.
• You must be 18 or over, or turn 18 during the life of the registering period.
• You must not be subject to any legal incapacity to vote.

Rolling registration dates for the 2021/2022 register

The electoral register was published on 1 December 2021 from the information received as a result of our annual canvass.

After the publication of 1 December 2021 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.

The register of electors

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

You can inspect the electoral register by appointment at Trafford Town Hall, Talbot Road, Stretford, Manchester, M32 0TH. Email elections@trafford.gov.uk to book 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.

If you wish to check your electoral registration details you can email the electoral registration team at elections@trafford.gov.uk. Information regarding any other individuals registration details or information contained within the historical registers will not be provided.

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

For further information on how your information is used, how we maintain the security of your information, and your rights to access information we hold on you, visit our Privacy Notices web page.