The register of electors
The register of electors is sometimes called the electoral register. It is published annually and is in force until 30 November each year.
The Register of Electors 2026 will be published on 1 December 2025 and will be in force until 30 November 2026.
There are two versions of the register:
• the electoral register, sometimes referred to as the full register
• the open register
The Electoral Register
This lists the names and addresses of everyone who is registered to vote in public elections. It is used for electoral purposes, such as making sure only people who are eligible can vote.
It is also used for other limited legally specified activities. This includes jury service, checking credit applications, and detecting crime, like fraud.
The Open Register
This is an extract of the electoral register, but is not used for elections.
It can be bought by any person, company or organisation. It is used by businesses and charities to confirm name and address details or for commercial activities such as marketing.
Your name and address will be included in the open register unless you ask for them to be removed.
If you are already registered to vote, you can request to opt-in or opt-out of the open register. Call or email your request, along with your name and address:
- phone: 01924 305023
- email: elections@wakefield.gov.uk
Removing your details from the open register does not affect your right to vote.
Electoral Services and credit agencies
The Electoral Services office is not responsible for updating credit agency records.
If a credit agency tells you that you are not registered to vote, please contact us with your full name and address so we can check your registration.
We do not contact credit agencies regarding individual credit records.
We can supply you with written or email confirmation of your registration. This may be accepted by a credit reference agency, to help resolve any queries.
Credit reference agency use of the full register
Section 114 of the Representation of the People (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2002
The law allows legally registered credit reference agencies to buy a copy of the full register each year when published. This is to help with fraud checking - these agencies cannot pass on your details if you have opted out of the open register.
Purchasing a copy of the register
An agency must be registered under Part III of the Consumer Credit Act 1974(a) (by virtue of section 147 of that Act). They must also provide credit reference services with the purpose of:
- vetting applications for credit
- meeting any obligations of the Money Laundering Regulations 1993(a)
- meeting any rules in section 146 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000(c)
- statistical analysis of credit risk assessment
Viewing the register of electors
The current full register is available to view by appointment at the Electoral Services Office, Town Hall.
If you wish to view the register, you must contact us by to arrange an appointment.
You will be supervised by a member of our team during your visit. Appointments are normally offered as one-hour time slots.
- phone: 01924 305023
- email: elections@wakefield.gov.uk
The full register is in a paper form and follows a ward structure. Information is ordered by address within each ward. It cannot be searched by an elector's name and it is not available electronically.
The Electoral Services Office only holds the current Register of Electors for viewing.
Previous registers, are handed over to the West Yorkshire History Centre for the Wakefield Archive Service.
You must make an appointment to view these registers. Please see the West Yorkshire History Centre website for contact information.
Regulation 7 of the Representation of the People (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2002
The following rules apply to anyone viewing the full electoral register:
- the register is open to public inspection, under supervision
- only handwritten notes can be made when viewing the register
- photocopying or electronic recording, photographing or scanning is not allowed
- information taken from the register must not be used for direct marketing purposes, unless it has been published in the open register
Anyone who fails to follow these rules is committing a criminal offence and could be fined up to £5000.
Use of the Electoral Register by political parties and representatives
Political parties are allowed a copy of the full register of electors. They can use it for electoral purposes and for checking the registration of donors. They can lawfully use the full electoral register for campaigning during an electoral period.