Why register
It is important to register to vote because -
- you must be on the electoral register to vote in future elections and referendums
- by law you must respond to an invitation to register to vote, or you could be fined up to £80
- if you are not on the register, which is used by credit reference agencies, you may find it harder to get a -
- loan
- mortgage
- finance agreement
- mobile phone contract
Who can register
You can register to vote if you are -
- 16 or older, although you can't vote until you're 18
- a British Citizen
- Irish, qualifying Commonwealth or European Union citizen living in the UK
You cannot register to vote if you are in the UK illegally.