The electoral register

A list of everyone who is registered to vote. You must be on the register to vote in elections and referendums. You are not automatically registered if you pay Council Tax.

There are two versions of the register - the full register and the open register. The full register is used for elections and referendums, preventing and detecting crime, and checking applications for credit. The open register can be purchased and used for commercial activities such as marketing.

Your details will appear on the full version of the register, but you can choose to not have your details appear on the open register.

Can I use the electoral register to look for a lost relative?

The register is listed in address order, so it is not possible to find a person's address simply by looking up their name.

Inspecting the electoral register

Please note that in accordance with the Representation of the People (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2002, the following rules apply to people inspecting the electoral register:

• The register is open to public inspection, under supervision.
• Extracts from the register may be recorded only by making hand-written notes. Photocopying or electronic recording are not permitted by law.
• Information taken from the register must not be used for direct marketing purposes (as per section 11(3) of the Data Protection Act 1998), unless the information has been published in the open version of the register.

Under the regulations referred to above, anyone who fails to observe these conditions is committing a criminal offence. The penalty is a fine of up to level 5 (currently £5000).

Where copies are located

St Helens Borough Council, Town Hall, Victoria Square, St Helens, WA10 1HP. Telephone: 01744 676789

The current electoral register is also located at the following libraries. For addresses, contact details and opening times please click on the library name.

• St Helens Library
• Chester Lane Library
• Eccleston Library
• Newton-le-Willows Library

Electoral registers from 1870 onward are held at Eccleston Library.

You may have been denied credit because your bank or credit reference agency are unable to check your details on the electoral register. This is because the electoral register is used for credit referencing purposes, to prevent fraud.

We can send you a letter to confirm that you are on the current register of electors for St Helens. To request a letter, please contact us using the contact details below: