The Electoral Register and The Open Register

The only way to check if you are on the electoral register is to contact the Electoral Registration Office direct.  This information is not available online and we can only provide details relevant to you, details of other electors cannot be disclosed.

Register to Vote (opens new window)|Opt in/out form  Phone 0141 287 4444

The Registration Officer keeps 2 registers, the Electoral Register and the Open Register (also known as the Edited Register).

Further information on both registers and how they may be used is available on Government UK Website.

The Electoral Register

The electoral register lists the names and addresses of everyone who is registered to vote in public elections and ensures only those eligible are able to vote.  It can also be used for other limited purposes specified in law to counteract fraud.

If you want your name added to the register you must apply to register and providing you're details are verified and you are eligible to vote, your name will be added.

The Electoral Registration Officer is obliged by law, to register all persons who are eligible, in order that they may vote in the event of an Election or Referendum.

The Open Register

The open register is an extract of the electoral register, but is not used for elections.  It can be bought by any person, company or organisation.  For example, it is used by businesses and charities to confirm name and address details.  If you are aged 16 or over, your name and address will be included in the open register unless you ask for them to be removed. Removing your details from the open register does not affect your right to vote.

You can opt out of the open register when you register to vote.  You can also contact us to change your preference at any time. Use the links provided or phone us on 0141 287 4444 (Mon-Fri 10am - 3pm) and provide your full name and address.

Credit Check using the Electoral Register

The electoral register is also used for limited purposes specified in law such as:

• detecting crime (e.g. fraud)

• calling people for jury service

• checking credit applications

If you have applied to register to vote and your application is successful, your details are added to the register on the next date of publication.  For information on this please see the 2024 Electoral Register Publication .

View the Electoral Register

The full register can be inspected by appointment at the office of your local Electoral Registration Officer.

To make an appointment at Glasgow City Council's Electoral Registration Office please email us and this will be arranged.

What you need to know when inspecting the Electoral Register

• You will be asked to read and sign a declaration making you aware of the restrictions when using information held on the electoral register.
• Your inspection will be supervised.
• You may only make hand-written notes (the taking of photographs, photocopies and dictaphones are not permitted by law)
• Information taken from this register must not be used for direct marketing purposes unless the information has also been published in the open version of the register.
• Failure to observe the above conditions may result in a fine of up to £5,000.

The register is compiled in order of polling district and within this, alphabetically by street name. 

Community groups or Organisations (who are not named in legislation) may not use information taken from the full register for their elections, referendums or surveys.  The open register (previously known as the edited register) is available on request.

Under The Representation of the People (Scotland) Regulations 2001 (as amended) and the GDPR and Data Protection Act 1998,anyone who fails to observe these conditions is committing a criminal offence and could be liable upon conviction of a fine of up to £5000.

Purchase a copy of the Open Register

The open register can be sold to anyone requesting it on payment of the prescribed fee.  No information will be released until payment is made in full.

The fees for the sale of the edited register are :

• In data format, £20 plus £1.50 for each 1,000 entries (or remaining part of 1,000 entries) in it
• In printed format, £10 plus £5 for each 1,000 entries (or remaining part of 1,000 entries) in it

If you would like to make a request to obtain a copy of the open register please Email Us.  Please advise whether you require a copy of the full open register or if it is for a constituency, ward or polling district and whether it will be in data or paper format.  Costs will be provided on receipt of this information.