Register to vote
You qualify to register to vote if you are:
- a British Citizen
- an EU Citizen resident in the UK
- a qualifying Commonwealth Citizen resident in the UK
If you would like to check to see if you are already on the register, please use our online register check form below.
How do I register?
To complete the application form will need the following information available:
- your National Insurance number
- your passport (if you are a British Citizen living abroad)
Before you submit your details please make sure you read our Privacy Notice.
More information on registering to vote can be found on the Electoral Commission website or Gov.uk website and an easy read guide to voting and registering is available to view from the Cabinet Office.
Voter ID information
The UK Government has introduced a requirement for voters to show photo ID when voting at a polling station at elections. This new requirement will apply for the first time in England at the local elections on Thursday 4 May 2023.
For more information on photo ID you can view the governments easy read online guide, call the Electoral Commission helpline on 0800 328 0280 or visit the electoral commission website.
A full list of accepted photo ID's can be found on the Electoral Commission website. Below is a list of the most common types of accepted ID's:
- Passport
- Driving Licence (including provisional licence)
- Blue Badge
- Certain concessionary travel cards
- Identity card with PASS mark (Proof of Age Standard Scheme)
- Biometric Immigration document
- Defence identity card
- Certain national identity cards
If you don't have an accepted form of photo ID or you're not sure whether your photo ID still looks like you, you can apply for a free voter ID document known as a Voter Authority Certificate. You can apply online using the button below or request a paper application form by contacting the electoral services team on electoralservices@melton.gov.uk.
What happens if I have received an evidence letter?
You will have received an evidence letter when your register to vote application is not successful. You will need to prove your identity to be added to the register of electors by providing documentary evidence.
A list of acceptable documents to upload are listed on your evidence letter.
Postal and proxy votes
If you are unable to attend the polling station for any reason, you may wish to apply for a postal or proxy vote.
A postal vote is where your vote is sent to you before polling day and a proxy vote is where you ask another person to vote on your behalf.
You can apply for a postal vote as long as you are on the electoral register
- You can apply for just one election, for a specific time period, or for a permanent postal vote.
- An application form must be completed by the person applying for a postal vote.
You can ask either a member of your family or a friend/colleague to act as your proxy. You must ask them first and make sure that they can get to your polling station to vote on your behalf. If the person you appoint does not live in the area, they will have to apply to be a postal proxy. In doing this your vote will be posted to them. Each applicant must fill in a form and, where possible, get your proxy to also sign the form accepting the appointment.
You can apply for a proxy vote as long as you are on the electoral register. When you apply for a proxy vote you have to provide a reason. You can apply for a proxy vote if:
- You are unable to go to the polling station for one particular election, for example, if you are away on holiday
- You have a physical condition that means you cannot go to the polling station on election day
- Your employment means that you cannot go to the polling station on election day
- Your attendance on an educational course means that you cannot go to the polling station on election day
- You are a crown servant or a member of Her Majesty's Armed Forces
- You are a British citizen living overseas
- Proxy vote forms must be received 6 working days before an election.
You may be able to apply for an emergency proxy on the grounds of a medical emergency or being taken away from home by your work.
You can only apply if you become aware of the fact after 5pm, six working days before polling day.
The closing date for emergency proxy applications is 5pm on polling day.
Postal voter signature refresh
Each January we send out notices to every postal, proxy and postal proxy voters whose signature is more than five years old. Absent voters who have been granted a signature waiver are not affected by the refresh provisions.
To apply for a postal or proxy vote:
From the panel below, download, print and complete an application form and return the form to: Electoral Registration Officer at Melton Borough Council, Parkside, Station Approach, Burton Street, Melton Mowbray, LE13 1GH.
Cancelling a postal or proxy vote
You must cancel your postal or proxy vote in writing. You must send a signed letter to confirm that you want to cancel your postal vote, either by email (as a scanned attachment) or by post.
Email: electionservices@melton.gov.uk
Postal address: Electoral Services, Melton Borough Council, Parkside, Station Approach, Burton Street, Melton Mowbray, LE13 1GH
Changing a postal or proxy vote
If you wish to change from a postal vote to a proxy vote or a proxy vote to a postal vote, you must complete a new postal/proxy application form.
