Electoral registration

From August 2023, we will carry out our annual canvass where we updated the records on the electoral register so that we were able to publish a new register on Friday 1 December 2023. Responses to the Canvass Communication Request forms can be made online and details of how to do this will be on the emails or paperwork sent to you.

Individual Applications to register to vote can be made at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.

Two versions of the register

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead is obliged to publish two versions of the electoral register.

The full register

Lists everyone who is entitled to vote. The Law specifies that only certain people and organisations are allowed copies of the full register and they are only able to use it for specified purposes. These include:

• electoral purposes;
• crime prevention and detection; National Fraud Initiative
• to enable credit reference agencies to fulfil their obligations under Money Laundering Regulations and to allow for the vetting of applicants for credit or applications which could result in granting credit.

It is a criminal offence for the register it to be passed on to anyone else or be used for any unauthorised purpose. The penalty is a fine of up to level 5 (currently £5000).

The open register

Leaves out the names and addresses of people who have asked for them to be removed from that version of the register. The open register is available for general sale and can be used for any purpose. It can be bought by any person, company or organisation and can be used for commercial activities such as marketing. Once you have requested to opt out the choice will remain in force as long as the record remains valid. If you move you must re-register and make your open register choice again. To do this this, please email electoral.registration@rbwm.gov.uk. 

This request will come into effect from the next revision of the Edited Register following receipt of the request.