Is Your Voter Registration Current?
You registered to vote years ago. You assume you're still registered. You might not be.
How Registration Lapses
Moved house: Most jurisdictions require you to re-register or update your address when you move. Some do this automatically through driver's licence updates. Many don't.
Inactivity: Some US states purge voters who haven't voted in several elections. You may receive a confirmation notice, but these are easy to miss.
Administrative errors: Names get misspelled, addresses get truncated, records get lost during system migrations.
UK annual canvass: The electoral roll is updated annually. If you don't respond to the canvass form, you may be removed.
Why It Matters Beyond Voting
UK: Being on the electoral roll affects your credit score. Lenders use it to verify your address. Not registered? Harder to get credit.
US: Some states use voter rolls for jury duty selection. Registration also serves as proof of residency for various purposes.
How to Check
US: vote.org/am-i-registered or your state's Secretary of State website.
UK: Contact your local Electoral Registration Office or check gov.uk.
Canada: Check with Elections Canada or your provincial elections office.
Australia: Check with the Australian Electoral Commission at aec.gov.au.
Deadlines
Registration deadlines vary:
- US: 15-30 days before an election (some states allow same-day registration)
- UK: 12 working days before an election
- Canada: Can register on election day with ID
- Australia: 8 days before an election (enrolment is compulsory)
Keep It Current
Check your registration annually, especially if you've moved. Add it to your tasks, confirm when verified, and we'll remind you to check again before it matters.