Register to vote

Waverley Borough Council
Publication of Revised Register of Electors

In accordance with the Representation of the Peoples Act 1983, I hereby give notice that a revised version of the Register of Electors for Waverley Borough Council was published on 1 December 2023.

The Register is available for viewing at the address below during normal office hours.  

Robin Taylor
Electoral Registration Officer
Waverley Borough Council
Council Offices
The Burys
Godalming
Surrey
GU7 1HR

Dated : Friday 1 December 2023

A revised Register of Electors 2024 was published on Friday 1 December 2023

A revised Register of Electors 2025 will be published on 1 February 2025.

From 16 January 2024, British or eligible Irish citizens living abroad who were previously living in the UK or had been registered to vote in the UK are eligible to register to vote in UK parliamentary elections. This new law removes the 15-year time limit for overseas electors.

Register to vote online

What happens after I submit my application?

• Your application will be automatically acknowledged by email and this will include a reference number.
• We will process your application and will send an email or written letter of confirmation if your application has been successful.
• We will process your application and will contact you if we need additional information to support your application.
• If your application is unsuccessful, we will write to you with details on how you can resolve this.

How do I vote if I live abroad?

You will need to setup a postal vote or a proxy vote (appointing someone else to vote on your behalf).

We strongly recommend that your appoint someone to vote on your behalf.

Due to the nature of an electoral timetable, the window to send postal ballot papers is very tight. If you are applying for a postal ballot paper, please do so as far in advance as possible, to enable us to issue them with enough time for them to reach you, and be returned by polling day.

Apply to vote by post

Apply to vote by proxy

Renewing your overseas registration

Overseas declarations are valid for three years, lasting until 1 November in the third year after it takes effect (for example, if your declaration takes effect on 1 March 2024, it will expire on 1 November 2026). Declarations will always expire on 1 November.

We will contact you when it is time to renew your overseas declaration.

Renewals cannot be made through gov.uk. You must complete the form we send you.

Your postal or proxy vote will run out at the same time as your overseas declaration. You can reapply for a proxy or postal vote when renewing your overseas declaration.

If we do not receive a response, your overseas registration will be cancelled and your details removed from the electoral register.

If you are a student, you may be able to register at both your home address and your term-time address.

National polls are considered as one election, but local elections are considered as separate elections.

You can only vote once in a national poll, such as a general election. This means you can choose if you want to vote at your home address or at your term-time address.

Register to vote online

Not all councils hold elections at the same time, but if that is the case, registering for a postal vote at one of the addresses will make it easier to vote in both areas.

You can still register to vote even if you do not have a fixed address in Waverley. This could be because

• you are homeless or have no fixed address
• you are a patient in a mental health hospital
• you are a person who has been remanded in custody, but you have not yet been convicted of an offence.

Address to use when you register

To register, you need to give an address where:

• you would be living if it were not for your current situation, or
• you have lived in the past.

If you are homeless, you can give details of where you spend a substantial part of your time.

How to register to vote

Download a Register to vote if you haven't got a fixed or permanent address form and fill it in.

• Email a scanned copy to electoralservices@waverley.gov.uk, or
• Post it to Electoral Services, Waverley Borough Council, The Burys, Godalming, Surrey, GU7 1HR

If you are concerned about your name and address appearing on the electoral register for your safety or the safety of someone in the same household as you, then you can apply to register to vote anonymously.

Reasons for registering anonymously include:

• escaping domestic violence, or
• keeping your identity private because of your occupation.

Bear in mind that if you do register anonymously, you may find it difficult to prove your identity and to obtain credit and financial facilities, as your name will not appear on the electoral register provided to credit reference agencies.

How to register to vote

Download a Register to vote anonymously form and fill it in.

• Email a scanned copy, along with supporting evidence, to electoralservices@waverley.gov.uk, or
• Post it to Electoral Services, Waverley Borough Council, The Burys, Godalming, Surrey, GU7 1HR

More information

For more information or to request an application form for anonymous registration to be sent to you, please contact the Electoral Services team at electoralservices@waverley.gov.uk or on 01483 523116.

If you're not sure if you've registered, please contact the Electoral Services Team by email: electoralservices@waverley.gov.uk or telephone: 01483 523116.