The electoral register

The electoral register (or electoral roll) lists the names and addresses of everyone who’s registered to vote.

Once you've registered to vote, your details will be stored on the full register. It's up to you whether your details are also kept on the open register which can be accessed by businesses.

If you don't want your details on the open register, you need to 'opt out'.

The full electoral register

Everyone’s name and address goes on the full version of the electoral register. The full version of the register is only used for:

• elections
• calling people for jury service
• preventing and detecting crime
• checking applications for loans or credit

The open register

The open register is available for general sale. It can be used for any purpose, including commercial activities such as marketing.

The open (or edited) register only contains the names and addresses of those people who have registered to vote, but have not opted out from having their details on the open register.

If you want to opt out from having your details on the open register, please indicate this on your registration form. Your choice will continue until you change your preference.

Find out more about the difference between the ‘open register’ and the full electoral register.

Who can access the register?

You are able to view the full register (under supervision) for Bracknell Forest at Time Square. Please contact Electoral Services to make an appointment.

Please note that:

• by law, we can only provide the current year's register for inspection - once a new register is published, the previous versions are no longer available for public inspection
• it is not possible to take a copy or a photograph of the full register, but you're welcome to make notes by hand
• names on the electoral register are listed by polling district and by street name and are not in alphabetical order
• it is not possible to search the register electronically

The full register is also available for inspection at:

Berkshire Records Office
9 Coley Avenue
Reading
RG1 6AF

and:

The British Library
96 Euston Road
London
NW1 2DB