Registering to vote
The council is responsible for preparing the Register of Electors for West Lancashire.
You can only vote in elections if your name is on the register of electors, being registered can also improve your credit rating. To find out more go to the electoral register.
Individual Electoral Registration
Each person is responsible for registering themselves. You can register online (external link).
You will need to provide a few more details to register - including your national insurance number and date of birth.
The changes make the Electoral Register more secure.
You can register to vote from the age of 16 but you cannot vote in any elections until you are 18 years of age.
Between December and September the electoral register is updated each month. You can contact the Elections Team to find out exactly when your details will be added. Contact 01695 585014 or email elections.office@westlancs.gov.uk
There are special rules about names being added to the electoral register during an election period. If you would like to know more please get in touch with us.
If you have moved recently
If you have moved recently you will need to re-register. The easiest way to register is online register to vote online (external link).
If you have moved from another borough and have just registered, we will also tell the Electoral Registration Officer for your old address that you have moved, so that your name can be removed from that register. People who live at two homes (including students) are allowed to register at both. If you do not want to be removed from your other address please explain why on your form
Public servants posted overseas
There are separate registration services for public servants, their spouses and civil partners who are likely to be posted overseas.
If you are a member of the Armed Forces, a Crown servant, a British Council employee, or a spouse or registered civil partner you can register to vote online (external link).
British citizens living overseas
If you are a British citizen living abroad, you can apply to be an overseas voter (external link).
Under current laws British citizens living abroad can register to vote in Parliamentary elections for a period of 15 years after their name last appeared on the electoral register. This kind of registration is renewed annually. We will write to remind electors 3 months prior to their renewal date.
From January 2024, there will be changes for British citizens living overseas. There will no longer be a 15 year limit on voting rights, and the registration period will change.
Changes
The 15 year limit on voting rights for British citizens living overseas will be removed, and the registration period for these voters will be extended from one year to three. This means that overseas voters will only need to register to vote every three years.
Any British citizen living abroad who has previously lived in, or been registered to vote in the UK, will have the right to vote at UK Parliamentary elections. These voters will be registered at the constituency where they were last registered to vote, or where they lived if they were not registered to vote before.
Anyone who is registered to vote in the UK can make donations to political parties and campaigners. Extending voting rights to more British citizens living overseas will mean these new voters will also be allowed to donate to political parties and campaigners in the UK.
Citizens of EU countries outside the UK and Republic of Ireland
EU citizens can vote in local elections. Citizens of the Republic of Ireland, Cyprus and Malta are eligible to vote in all elections.
If you are unsure please check with the elections office, tel 01695 585014 or email elections.office@westlancs.gov.uk
