Register to Vote

We send a canvass form to all properties in the borough once a year. The form lists who is currently registered at each property. It will inform you if a response is required.

We use this process to make sure that our information is not out of date. You do not have to wait for this form to register to vote. 

Registering to vote online

You can register to vote online. Everyone who is eligible should register to vote and keep this updated if they move. It will mean you can vote in elections and it may improve your credit rating.

You must make a new application if you have changed address or if you were too young to register previously.

N.B. If you experience problems with the registration website you can download a voter registration form [pdf] 972KB. You can make your application by emailing this form to vote@ashford.gov.uk.

Am I already registered?

You are already registered if you are listed on the annual canvass form sent to your property. It is not possible to check online whether or not you are already registered.

Once you are registered, you will not need to re-register for each election/referendum. However, you may be removed if we receive information that you are no longer resident at your registered address.

You can contact us by phone if you want to discuss any issues around your registration. You can view the current electoral register by appointment at our offices. Please note we will not discuss your registration with anyone else including family members.

If you have made an application it may take several days for us to process especially at busy periods – there is no need to reapply.

Registration Deadlines

The full register of electors is published on 1st December each year. The electoral register is then updated every month. The following table shows when we need to receive an application to register and when you will be added to the register.

Privacy

To verify your identity, the data you provide will be processed by the Individual Electoral Registration Digital Service managed by the Cabinet Office. As part of this process your data will be shared with the Department of Work and Pensions and the Cabinet Office suppliers that are data processors for the Individual Electoral Registration Digital Service. You can find more information on the register to vote website.

In order to improve the accuracy, efficiency and citizen's experience of the electoral process, specifically the canvass, we are required to take part in a data matching exercise at the start of each canvass, which matches the details of the electors held on our electoral register against national data. In addition, this data may also be matched against local data sets. The outcome of the matching exercises will allow us to determine the most suitable route for properties to be canvassed.

If you would like to know more about the way we process your data, or the open register (also known as the edited register) and how to change whether you appear on this you can view information on Electoral Register Privacy.