Who is eligible to register to vote?
Ordinary Voter - Visit gov.uk - Register to Vote
You qualify to register to vote if you are:
- 17 years old (and in some cases if you are 16). However, you can only vote when you become 18.
- A British citizen, citizen of the Republic of Ireland
- A qualifying Commonwealth citizen who has leave to enter and remain in the UK or does not require such leave. The definition of a Commonwealth citizen includes citizens of British Crown Dependencies and British Overseas Territories.
- A citizen of other European Union (EU) member state can vote in the UK at local government elections only.
If you are unable to register online, you can request a paper registration form or complete the registration over the phone by contacting the electoral services team on 01476 406080 (ask for elections).
Visit Electoral Commission - Which elections can I vote in? for further information on who can register to vote and information on qualifying Commonwealth citizens.
For more information about the electoral register view our Register of Electors page.
If you want to find out if you are already on the Electoral Register or if you are unable to register online, please contact us. You can also email our elections team at elections@southkesteven.gov.uk.
Overseas Voter - Visit gov.uk - Register to Vote
From 16 January 2024 and the removal of the 15-year limit, if you are a British Citizen living overseas who has previously lived in the UK or been registered to vote in the UK, you can register to vote.
- Visit 'Register as an Overseas Voter' for further information on who can register as an overseas voter and how you can vote.
Voting options:
- voting by post
- voting by proxy
- voting in person (Photo ID is required to vote at a polling station
Overseas voters are only eligible to vote in UK Parliamentary Elections and Referendums.
Armed Forces Voter Visit gov.uk - Register to Vote (Armed Forces)
If you are in the armed forces and based overseas, or expect to be posted abroad in the next year, you can register as a service voter.
- Visit 'Register as an Armed Forces voter' for further information
Service voter registration lasts for five years. You can cancel your service voter registration at any time.
Student Voter Visit gov.uk - Register to Vote
If you are a student, you may be able to register to vote at both your home and term-time local authority areas.
- Visit 'Register as a student voter' for further information
Important Notice: Even if registered in two areas, you can only vote in one at a general election.
It is a criminal offence to vote twice in a UK general election.
Voter with no fixed address Download a register to vote form (no fixed address)
You can still register to vote even if you do not have a fixed permanent residential address by completing a 'no fixed address' form.
Visit Electoral Commission - People with no fixed address for more detailed information about registering as a voter with no fixed address.
All completed voter registration forms should be returned to:
Electoral Services, South Kesteven District Council, Council Offices, The Picture House, St Catherine's Road, Grantham, NG31 6TT
Anonymous Voter Download a register to vote form (anonymous)
You may be able to register anonymously if you are concerned about your name and address appearing on the electoral register because you think that it could affect your safety, or the safety of someone in the same household as you.
- Visit 'Register to vote anonymously' for more detailed information about registering to vote anonymously.
All completed voter registration forms should be returned to:
Electoral Services, South Kesteven District Council, Council Offices, The Picture House, St Catherine's Road, Grantham, NG31 6TT
You are not eligible to vote in elections in the UK if one of the the following applies:
- you aren't a British, Irish or qualifying Commonwealth or EU citizen
- you are a convicted person detained in pursuance of your sentence, excluding contempt of court (though remand prisoners, unconvicted prisoners and civil prisoners can vote if they are on the electoral register)
- you have been found guilty within the previous five years of corrupt or illegal practices in connection with an election.
Contact details
Email: elections@southkesteven.gov.uk
Telephone: 01476 406080 - ask for elections