Elections - electoral register

You can add your name to the electoral register at any time during the year.

You can only vote in elections if your name is on the Register of Electors for your area.

Even if you are registered to pay Council Tax to Solihull Council, your details will not necessarily be on the Electoral Register unless you complete the electoral registration process to add your name to the list.

Students can be registered at both their home and university addresses - however they can only vote in one place.

Annual Canvass (Checking the Electoral Register)

Between August and November each year the annual canvass takes place to compile a new Electoral Register. The Electoral Registration Officer for Solihull MBC sends forms to every household in the Borough.  Completing this form is compulsory and failure to provide the information required by the Electoral Registration Officer could mean you will not be able to vote in any elections and can also lead to a fine of up to £1,000.  

Each annual canvass form will show the names of the people we currently have registered to vote at your property. You are required to check, confirm or update the details and return your form to us. The new register is published each year at the beginning of December.

It is important that we receive confirmation from each household even if all the details are correct. If you do not return your form there is a possibility that your name will be removed from the Register. As a consequence you will not be able to vote at any election you are entitled to and your credit reference may be affected.

If all the names on the form are correct confirm your details by using our telephone, internet or text service, the details of which will be printed on your form or if you would prefer you can sign and return your form.

To update the details you must return your registration form.

By completing and returning the form you will be making sure that are able to use your right to vote and are less likely to be turned away from your polling station on election day.

If you have any questions or are unsure about completing your form please contact us at the election office 0121 704 6042.

Checking the Electoral Register

You can check the register at Solihull Connect or Chelmsley Wood Library. Other libraries will only have the part of the register relevant to their area. You will be supervised while reading the register. The registers are updated several times a year - for example to include people who have moved into Solihull.

You can also contact the Electoral Registration Office on 0121 704 6042 or email election@solihull.gov.uk to check if you are on the register.

The full register lists everyone who is entitled to vote. Only certain organisations can get copies of the full register - generally for election purposes, prevention/detection of crime and checking your identity when applying for credit.

The Two Versions of the Register

The Electoral Registration Office makes and keeps two versions of the electoral register - full register and the edited register.

The Full Register

The full register lists everyone who is entitled to vote and includes their address. You can check at the council offices or at some local libraries. Only certain people and organisations can have copies of the full register, and they can only use it for specified purposes. The main use of the full register is for election and referendums, but it can also be used for other purposes such as the prevention and detection of crime and for checking your identity when you have applied for credit. Details of others who can have copies of the full register and what they can use it for are given in the Representation of the People (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2002 (SI 2002 No. 1871). It is a criminal offence not to comply with the regulations. For example, it is a criminal offence either to pass the full register on to anyone or to use it for any purpose, except as allowed by the regulations. These regulations are available on the Internet at http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2002/1871/contents/made or you can buy a copy from The Stationery Office Ltd.

Edited Register

The edited register leaves out the names and addresses of people who have asked to be excluded from that version. The edited register can be bought by anyone and can be used for any purpose.

Adding your name to the register

If you are not on the published register, all you need to do is complete the voter registration form which is attached at the top of this page.

You need to sign your own form - someone else cannot do it for you, and send it back to:

Electoral Registration Officer
Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council
PO Box 18
Solihull
B91 9QS

When you send us the completed, signed form, we will add you to our list of new applications. Any elector can object to your name being added to the register. If this happens we will write to you.

If your application is not objected to, we will change your details within two weeks of receiving your form. We will write to you when your application is allowed. Your details will be added to the register when it is next updated.

If you have moved

We will tell the Electoral Registration Officer for your old address that you have moved, so that your name can be removed from that register. People who live at two homes (including students) are allowed to register at both. If you do not want to be removed from your other address please explain why on your form.

Registering during an election period

There are special rules about names being added to the voters list during an election period - you may not be able to vote at that election, if you are added during this time.

You must make sure that you are registered before the deadline for nominations.

Contact Details

For more information on the Electoral Register, please phone the Electoral Registration Office on 0121 704 6042, email election@solihull.gov.uk or call into Solihull Connect

Electoral Registration Officer
Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council
PO Box 18
Council House
Solihull
B91 9QS