The electoral register

Electoral Registration Officers keep two version of the register - the electoral register and the open register (also known as the edited register).

The electoral (full) register

The electoral register is used for electoral purposes and it lists the names and addresses of everyone who is registered to vote.

It can also be used:

  • to check credit applications
  • to call people for jury service
  • for the prevention and detection of crime
  • by candidates, registered political parties and other registered campaigners for election or referendum campaigning activities

The open (edited) register

The open register is an extract of the electoral register, but it is not used for elections. This version is available to anyone who wants to buy it, such as businesses or charities.

You can find more information on The Electoral Commissions page.

Opting out of the open register

Your name and address will be included in the open register unless you ask for them to be removed. Removing your details from the open register does not affect your right to vote.

When you apply to register to vote, you will be given the choice to opt out of the open register as part of your application.

If you are already registered and want to opt out, please email us confirming that you would like to opt out of the open register and provide your full name and address.

Buying a copy of the open register

To enquire about buying a copy, or part of the open register, please email your request to Electoral Services and confirm the electoral area(s) you require, for example polling districts, borough wards or constituency.

The cost of each copy varies depending on how much of the register you require. The prescribed fees for the sale of the open register are:

  • in data format, £20 plus £1.50 for each 1,000 entries (or part of)
  • in printed format, £10 plus £5 for each 1,000 entries (or part of)

Historic registers

Only the current version of the electoral register is available for public inspection by appointment at Southwark Council Offices, 160 Tooley Street, London SE1 2QH. Once a revised register is published, the previous version of the register cannot be accessed for ten years.

The British Library may allow inspection and supply of older versions once the ten year period has elapsed.

Page last updated: 06 February 2024

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