Voter Registration for Service/Crown Personnel

Find out the answers to the commonly asked questions about elections in the UK.  If you have a question that is not answered here, please email policy@electoralcommission.org.uk

If you are overseas serving in the armed forces or with Her Majesty's Government then you will be entitled to vote in General, Local and European Elections in the UK.  In order to register as a service/crown voter you will need to complete a service declaration each year you are abroad.  This is available from your unit or from electoral registration officers.  You need to register at an address where you have lived in the past or where you would live if you were not posted overseas.  You can apply to vote by post or proxy.  Postal votes are sent out approximately one week before polling day, so if you are not likely to be able to receive and return a postal vote in that time, it would be better to appoint a proxy.

Service personnel and their spouses resident in the UK may register in either of two ways.  They may be included on the annual register of electors form which is sent to every household in the autumn or they may register as service voters.  Both forms of registration last for one year and must be renewed in order to remain registered.  Electors registered either way may apply to vote by post or proxy.

Click here for Service Voter Declaration Form

Related Websites

Electoral Commission