Electoral Registration

How can I check if I am on the Electoral Register?

You can check that your name is on the current Electoral Register by calling into the Town Hall, or to Crawley Library or Broadfield Library, or by telephoning us on 01293 438346. If you discover that your name is not on the Register, you can complete a Voter Registration form.

To qualify to be added to the Register, you must be:

• a British, Commonwealth or Irish citizen; and
• aged 18 or over.

If you are a citizen of another member state of the European Union, you can still vote in some elections and you may apply on a separate form which we will supply if you call us on the telephone number above.

Electoral Wards

Most of the electoral wards in Crawley match the town’s neighbourhoods. Some, like Pound Hill and Broadfield are split into more than one ward. If you are not certain which ward you live in, please look on the Ward Map , or contact Electoral Services on 01293 438705.

‘Rolling’ Registration

The Register of Electors is updated every month. If you have moved since October or have been missed off the register, you can complete a form to add your name to the register. This will happen within a period of 2 to 6 weeks, after we have received your completed form. Phone us or click on the link in Related Documents to download a form.

You can find out more about voting and elections on the Electoral Commission's website - www.aboutmyvote.co.uk

Please return your completed form to:

Electoral Services

Crawley Borough Council

Town Hall, The Boulevard,

Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 1UZ.

• We will also be able to 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 have two homes (including students) are allowed to register at both.

There are special rules about names being added to the voters list during an election period. Because of these you may not be able to vote at that election if you are added during this time. To be sure of voting, your form should be sent in two months before an election is due.

Why should I register?

The information is required by law. If you are not on the Register - you cannot vote. Credit referencing agencies use the Register when assessing credit worthiness. People who are not on the Register often experience difficulties opening bank accounts, getting credit, a loan or a mortgage.

How do I register?

In August of each year, the Council sends a form to every household in the Borough. The form must be completed by law. If you do not complete and return this form, or give false information, a fine of £1,000 may have to be paid.

Who can see the Register?

Until now, any company, organisation or person could buy a copy of the Electoral Register. But the Government has changed the law so that residents now have a choice about who can buy details of their names and addresses.

There are now two versions of the register – the full version and the edited version.

Anyone has the right to look at the Full Register, but copies can only be supplied for specific purposes such as elections and law enforcement. Credit reference agencies will be able to validate names and addresses of people applying for credit, but it will be an offence to pass on information from the register.

The Edited Register will be available for general sale and can be used for any purpose. Residents who only wish to be included in the full register can tick a box on the registration form.

Postal and proxy voting

You may choose to vote by post or by proxy if you prefer to do so. This means that you can vote yourself by post or ask a friend or relative to cast your vote for you at the polling station. If you want to vote by post, look on the Postal Voting page for more information.