How do I register to vote?
Am I eligible to register to vote?
Why should I register to vote?
Which elections can I vote in?
What should I do if I move house?
What should I do if I change my name?
What should I do if I change my nationality?
I’m a student. Can I register to vote at my home address on Scilly as well as at my term-time address on the mainland?
I have a second home on the islands. Can I register to vote on Scilly as well as at my main address?
I’m concerned about my name and address appearing on the electoral register for safety reasons. What can I do?
Why are there two different versions of the register?
How do I register to vote?
You can register online on the government website. It only takes 5 minutes.
If you're unable to register online, you can apply by post. You can download the relevant form here.
If you can’t print the form, please contact Electoral Services and we will be happy to send one in the post.
Am I eligible to register to vote?
To register to vote, you must be 16 years old or over (although you cannot vote until you are 18).
You must also be one of the following:
• a British citizen resident in the UK;
• a qualifying Commonwealth citizen resident in the UK;
• a citizen of the European Union resident in the UK; or
• a British citizen living overseas (who satisfies certain conditions).
A ‘qualifying’ Commonwealth citizen is someone who has leave to enter or remain in the UK, or who doesn't require that leave.
Special arrangements are in place for members of the armed forces and crown servants serving overseas who would otherwise be resident in the UK.
Further information about registering to vote is available on the Electoral Commission website.
Why should I register to vote?
You need to be on the electoral register in order to vote in elections and referendums.
If you are not on the electoral register (which is used by credit reference agencies), you may find it harder to get a finance agreement (e.g. a loan, mortgage or mobile phone contract).
Which elections can I vote in?
British, Irish and qualifying Commonwealth citizens resident in the UK can vote in all elections.
Citizens of the European Union resident in the UK can vote in local government and police and crime commissioner elections but not in UK parliamentary elections.
British citizens living overseas can vote in UK parliamentary elections but not in local government or police and crime commissioner elections.
What should I do if I move house?
You need to re-register when you move house.
If you have a postal or proxy vote, you will also need to complete a new postal or proxy voting application.
What should I do if I change my name?
If you change your name, you can either:
• re-register using your new name; or
• contact Electoral Services so we can send you a change of name form.
If you have a postal or proxy vote, you will also need to complete a new postal or proxy voting application.
What should I do if I change my nationality?
Please contact Electoral Services if you change your nationality.
I’m a student. Can I register to vote at my home address on Scilly as well as at my term-time address on the mainland?
Yes. Students are generally entitled to register to vote at both their home address and their term-time address.
If you are registered to vote in Scilly and somewhere else:
- you will be able to vote in local government elections in both locations;
- you will be able to vote in police and crime commissioner elections in both locations so long as the other location is not in the Devon and Cornwall police area;
- but you must choose to vote in one location or the other at a UK Parliamentary election.
I have a second home on the islands. Can I register to vote on Scilly as well as at my main address?
If you split your time between two homes, you may be able to register to vote at both addresses.
If you submit an application, we will ask for additional information to help us determine whether you meet the residency qualification to register to vote on Scilly. Residency in the context of electoral registration is not defined in law but the length of time you spend on the islands each year will be an important factor.
If you are registered to vote in Scilly and somewhere else:
- you will be able to vote in local government elections in both locations;
- you will be able to vote in police and crime commissioner elections in both locations so long as the other location is not in the Devon and Cornwall police area;
- but you must choose to vote in one location or the other at a UK Parliamentary election.
I’m concerned about my name and address appearing on the electoral register for safety reasons. What can I do?
You can submit an application to register to vote anonymously.
Why are there two different versions of the register?
See our webpage on the registers.
Electoral Services
Council of the Isles of Scilly
Town Hall
St Mary's
Isles of Scilly
TR21 0LW
T: 01720 424545
E: elections@scilly.gov.uk