Introduction
In order to vote in UK elections, you need to make sure that you are registered to vote by providing some personal details to their local Electoral Registration Officer (ERO). Some people who have experienced domestic violence may miss out on voting because they are worried that perpetrators will be able to trace them by searching the electoral register for their new address, however, there is an option to register to vote anonymously.
What is anonymous registration?
Anonymous registration was set up to help individuals whose safety would be at risk (or where the safety of other people at the same address as them would be at risk) if their name or address was listed on the electoral register – for example, a person who has fled domestic abuse.
How registering anonymously works
All voters are required to give basic personal information to the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) so that they can check that they are eligible to register to vote. The difference between a standard and an anonymous registration is how these details then appear on the register of electors and how we communicate with you.
Examples of electoral register entries
This is how entries usually appear on the electoral register:
DBC412 Vella, John 59 Green Lane
DBC413 Vella, Veronica 59 Green Lane
This is how anonymous entries appear on the electoral register:
DBC602 N
The ‘N’ signifies that this entry relates to an anonymously registered voter and your name and address will not appear on the register of electors.
How do you make an application to register anonymously?
To register anonymously, contact us at electoral.registration@dartford.gov.uk or call us on 01322 343169 and we will send you an application. Anonymous applications to register cannot currently be completed online.
You will need to explain briefly why your safety (or the safety of someone in the same household as you) would be at risk if their name and address appeared on the register of electors (for example, you fear that any disclosure of your address could increase your risk). You also need to provide documentary evidence to support your application, comprising of either:
1. a court order; or
2. a written attestation
What supporting evidence needs to be provided with an anonymous registration application?
All applications must include evidence that the applicant’s safety or the safety of someone in their household would be put at risk if their name and address appeared on the register.
Supporting Court documents - The list of supporting documents can be found on the Electoral Commission’s website.
OR An attestation (statement) from a qualifying officer supporting the application in writing and signed. A qualifying officer can be any of the following:
• a refuge manager
• a registered medical practitioner e.g. GP
• a registered nurse or midwife
• a police officer of or above the rank of inspector in any police force in the UK
• Director General of the Security Services or the National Crime Agency
• Director of Adult Social Services or Children’s Services in England,
• a Director of Social Services in Wales,
• a Chief Social Worker in Scotland (who may authorise in writing another person to attest an application for a person aged under 16)
• a Director of Social Services of a Health and Social Services Board or an Executive Director of Social Work of a Health and Social Services Trust in
How long does an anonymous registration remain valid?
Registration lasts for 12 months from the day the anonymous entry is first made on the register. After the 12 month period is up, you will need to re-register anonymously, but we will contact you to advise what you need to do.
How does an anonymously registered elector cast their vote at an election?
An anonymously registered elector has the same options for voting at an election as other electors. They can vote in person at a polling station or they can apply to vote by post or by proxy.
If you vote in person you will receive a poll card before the election. The poll card will be sent in a covering envelope, but you must take this poll card to the polling station and will not be able to vote without it.
If you want to vote by post or by proxy, you will need to complete a separate application form for this.
Providing Photographic Evidence in the Polling Station
From May 2023, electors are required to show photographic ID before they are issued with a ballot paper at a polling station. As an anonymous elector, we will need to provide you with an Anonymous Elector's Document which will allow you to vote at a polling station and you will also need to complete this application process and provide us with a photo.
What does an Anonymous Elector’s Document look like?
An Anonymous Elector’s Document has the words ‘Elector’s Document’ written on the top, and does not refer to your status as being registered to vote anonymously.
An Anonymous Elector’s Document includes:
- the date of issue
- your photograph
- your electoral number (which is the number which will appear on the electoral register instead of the voter’s name and address)
- an appropriate identifier (which is a combination of 20 letters and numbers generated by the software used by Electoral Registration Officers)