4. The Electoral Register

The electoral register is a list of everyone who is registered as eligible to vote within Southwark. It is a public document which is on display in most libraries throughout the borough.

There are over 204,000 people registered on the electoral register in Southwark. There are strict deadlines and timetables as to when we publish the electoral register and the timing of the election.

These deadlines are laid down in the regulations and legislation called the "Representation of the People" Acts.

All the electoral services sections in the country adhere to the same deadlines.

Not everyone is entitled to register to vote. You must qualify by age, residence and nationality. Please visit the Electoral Commission website for more information on http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/ or http://www.aboutmyvote.co.uk/

Using information received from the public, registration officers keep two registers- the electoral register and the open register (also known as the edited register).

The Electoral Register

The electoral register lists the names and addresses of everyone who is registered to vote in the public elections. The register is used for electoral purposes, such as making sure only eligible people can vote. It is also used for other limited purposes specified in law, such as:

• Detecting crime (e.g. fraud)
• Calling people for jury service
• Checking credit applications

The Open Register

The Open Register is an extract of the electoral register, but it is not used for elections. It can be bought by any person, company or organisation. For example, it is used by businesses and charities to confirm name and address details. 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.

Inspecting the Register

Members of the public are entitled to inspect the full Register of Electors, under supervision only, and can do so at any of the public libraries listed below.

You may look at the register and make handwritten notes only, and photocopying of the document is not allowed.

Electoral Register at Libraries

These libraries contain the Full Register available for inspection:

• Dulwich Reference Library, 368 Lordship Lane, SE22 8NB
• Canada Water Library 21 Surrey Quays Road SE16 7AR
• John Harvard Library, 211 Borough High Street, SE1 1JA
• Peckham Library, Peckham Hill Street, SE15 5JR