Title

ELECTIONS

Millions of people incorrectly registered to vote, study finds

A new study has revealed that up to 9.4 million people are not registered properly to vote, leading to calls to reform the system.

A new study has revealed that up to 9.4 million people are not registered properly to vote, leading to calls to reform the system.

The research, published by the Electoral Commission, found that 9.4 million people are not registered at their correct address, while 5.6 million people are registered incorrectly.

Only 71% of people aged between 18 and 34 are correctly registered to vote, compared to 94% of people aged 65 and over, the research found.

Chair of the commission, Sir John Holmes, said: 'Giving electoral administrators access to reliable and trusted public data would help them more easily identify people who have moved and may be eligible to register to vote.

'Being able to change your electoral registration details while, for example, updating your driving licence could be another way of making it easier for people to ensure they are registered.'

A spokeswoman for the Association of Electoral Administrators (AEA) added: 'At an AEA meeting of 500 electoral administrators earlier this month, 65% said they were struggling to access data sources.

'Better access to local data such as council tax records, cooperation from universities to help register students and information exchanges with national bodies would help to boost the numbers of potential electors being invited to register to vote.'

ELECTIONS

Autumn Budget: Funding counties' growth

By Steve Broadbent | 14 October 2026

Counties hold the key to growth and public service reform, but the Budget must match ambition with investment, says Steve Broadbent.

ELECTIONS

Modernising local government election services for the future

By Peter Stanyon | 12 October 2026

Tinkering with the voting system is not enough, it’s time for a wholescale review of how we deliver elections, says Peter Stanyon.

ELECTIONS

The value of voting flexibly

By William Benson | 28 September 2026

Tunbridge Wells piloted the use of early voting hubs in the May elections. William Benson says the increasing pace of technological change can transform the ...

ELECTIONS

The local government reorganisation reset changes the recruitment brief

By Liam Young | 09 September 2026

Liam Young examines how councils can reset recruitment, retain talent and rebuild confidence after local government reorganisation uncertainty.

Popular articles by Laura Sharman

-->