You need to be on the electoral register to vote in elections and referendums in the UK.
If you are a member of the Armed Forces (Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force) or the husband, wife or registered civil partner of a member of the Armed Forces, you can apply to register at any time throughout the year, either as a service voter or as an ordinary voter as long as the applicant meets the age and nationality qualifications for registration.
Registering as a service voter allows you to be registered at a fixed address in the UK even if you move around. This could be useful if you are based overseas or think you may be posted overseas in the next year. You must renew your service voter registration every 5 years or you will lose your right to vote. You will receive a reminder letter from your Electoral Services Office telling you when you need to do this. If you change your address you must inform the Electoral Services Office in the area where you are registered, or you will not receive your reminder. The form can be obtained from your designated Unit Registration Officer or from Electoral Services.
If you want to re-register as an ordinary voter, you can cancel your service voter registration at any time.
If you are based in the UK and are unlikely to be posted overseas or change address in the next year, you can alternatively register to vote as an ordinary voter by filling in the voter registration form that is delivered to your home between mid-August and October, or at any other time of the year by completing a voter registration form available from Electoral Services.
If you are unable to attend at your allocated polling station to vote in person you can choose to vote by post or by proxy (someone voting on your behalf).
Please note that at the time of an election there will be deadlines for receipt of applications to register and to vote by post or by proxy.
You can download an application form by clicking on the link in the left hand menu of this page. You will need to print the form, complete the details in full, sign it and then send it to the address below.
For further information please telephone: 023 8083 4135
Southampton City Council
