The electoral register

The electoral register lists the names and addresses of everyone who is registered to vote, unless they have registered to vote anonymously.

We update the electoral register on the first working day of every month, except October and November. The electoral register is normally published on 1 December each year.

There are two versions of the register:

• the electoral register
• the open register

The electoral (full) register

The electoral register is used for electoral purposes. It can also be used for other purposes, like checking credit applications, calling people for jury service and for the prevention and detection of crime.

The open (edited) register

The open register is an extract of the electoral register, but it is not used for elections. This version is available to anyone who wants to buy it, such as businesses or charities. 

Opting out of the open register

Your name and address will be included in the open register unless you ask for your details to be removed. Opting out of the open register does not affect your right to vote.

When you apply to register to vote, you will be given the choice to opt out of the open register as part of your application.

If you are already registered and want to opt out, please email electoral.enquiries@southwark.gov.uk to ask for your name and address to be removed from the open register. 

Buying a copy of the open register

You can buy a copy of the open register, or part of the open register. You will need to contact us to tell us the electoral areas you need. This may be based on polling districts, borough wards or constituencies.

The cost of each copy varies depending on:

• how much of the register you need
• whether you need a print or digital copy

The cost is:

• digital: £20 plus £1.50 for each 1,000 entries
• printed: £10 plus £5 for each 1,000 entries
• If you need part of 1,000 entries this will cost the same as the full 1,000 entries.

To buy a copy of the open register, email electoral.enquiries@southwark.gov.uk.

View the register

You can inspect the electoral register in person under supervision at Southwark Council Offices, 160 Tooley Street, London SE1 2QH. Email electoral.enquiries@southwark.gov.uk to arrange an appointment

By law, you cannot take any copies or photos of the register. Handwritten notes are allowed.

Historic registers

Once the electoral register is published, the previous year’s register cannot be accessed for ten years.

The British Library and Southwark archives may allow you to access older versions once the ten-year period has elapsed.