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The Electoral Register

The Council is responsible for preparing the Register of Electors for West Lancashire.  

The Annual voter registration canvass (household enquiry)

Each year the Council must conduct an annual voter registration canvass.  This usually takes place between July and 1 December.

In 2018 the first annual household enquiry forms will be delivered in mid July with reminders being despatched mid August and the household visits will commence 21 September.

To respond using the automated online service use this link HEF RESPONSE (external link) you will need the security codes printed on the form and your post code (as per the form)

During this process we write to every household in the Borough; asking the residents to check that the information we keep on the electoral register is correct.  The resident is obliged to respond to the form even if the information is correct.  Using the automated response service is both convenient and cost effective for the Council.  Details of how to use the service is detailed on the form.

For further information about the household enquiry form download Frequently Asked Questions (PDF 350KB)

The Electoral Registration Officer makes and keeps two versions of the electoral register - the full register and the open register. 

The full register

The full register lists everyone who is entitled to vote. You can check it by calling at the council offices or at some local libraries.  

Only certain people and organisations can have copies of the full register, and they can only use it for specified purposes such as the prevention and detection of crime, and checking your identity when you have applied for credit, calling people for jury services. The law says who can have a copy of the full register and what they can use it for. The full list of such persons and purposes is given in the Representation of the People (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2001. It is a criminal offence for them to pass it on to anyone else or to use it for any other purpose.  

The open register

The open register is an extract of the electoral register, but is not used for elections. For example it can be used for marketing purposes. The open register can be bought by anyone who asks for a copy and they may use it for any purpose. 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. It leaves out the names and addresses of people who have asked for their names to be excluded from that version of the register.

If you want your name and address to be excluded from the open register please put a X in the appropriate box on the registration form.  

Your privacy

We will only use the information you provide for electoral purposes.  We will not give it to anyone else unless we have to by law.  To find out how your personal information is processed www.westlancs.gov.uk/electionsprivacynotice (opens a new page)

Register

Visit register online (external link) to apply to register to vote. You only need to register is there is a material change, such as you move house, change your name or nationality.  There is no need to re-register before every election.