Register of electors

What is the Register of Electors? 

The Register of Electors (also knows as the 'electoral register' or 'electoral roll') is the council’s official register of who resides in each property and shows those eligible to vote. There are two versions of the register:

Electoral Register

This lists the names and address of everyone who is registered to vote in public elections. The Electoral Register is used for electoral purposes only - such as making sure only eligible people can vote - and for other limited purposes specified in law (such as preventing and detecting crime, and checking applications for credit). 

Only a limited number of organisations, including credit reference agencies are allowed to buy the Electoral Register.

Anyone who registers to vote is automatically included on the  Electoral Register. You cannot be removed from this register.  

Open Register

Under the Representation of the People Act Regulations 2013 it is a legal requirement for the council to produce an Open Register. The Open Register (previously known as the ‘Edited’ register) is an extract of the Electoral Register showing the names of people who chose not to opt out.* 

It is not used for election purposes and can be bought by any person, company or organisation. For example, it is used by businesses and charities to confirm name and address details. The personal data in the Register must always be processed in line with data-protection legislation.

*Your inclusion on the open register is based on your response to the Household Enquiry Form (HEF), previously known as the 'annual canvass form' which is sent to your property every year between July and September. 

If you are on the Open Register it is because when you completed the form, the ‘opt out’ option was not selected.

Publication of verification number

In accordance with the Local Authorities (Referendum)(Petitions)(England) Regulations 2011, the verification number is published below:

Verification Number Statement 2022

Who can view the Register of Electors? 

Electoral Register 

Contact your local customer service centre to see if they have a copy of the Electoral Register for where you live. You will have to be supervised whilst viewing the Electoral Register and you may only make handwritten notes, photocopies are not permitted. 

Only Beverley, Bridlington Central, Brough and Goole customer service centre hold a copy of the Electoral Register for the whole of the East Riding. Alternatively, you can make an appointment with Electoral Services to view the Electoral Register. 

Only a limited number of organisations, including credit reference agencies, are allowed to acquire the full version of the electoral register. 

Open Register

Contact your local library* to see if they have a copy of the Open Register for where you live.

Only Beverley, Bridlington Central and Goole library hold a copy of the Open Register for the whole of the East Riding. View library information and locations.

The Open Register can be bought by any person, company or organisation. For example, it can be used by businesses and charities to confirm name and address details. If you wish to enquire about purchasing  a copy, please contact the electoral services team and we will be able to help.

*Mobile and travelling libraries do not carry this information.