Information we collect from you

We collect different types of information to support electoral registration and the delivery of elections. This page explains what we hold and why.

Records we keep

We keep records about people involved in electoral registration and election processes.

This includes electors, voters, citizens, candidates, their agents and staff employed by the elections office.

These records may be written or stored electronically.

Personal information we hold

The information we hold may include:

• name, address, date of birth and nationality
• contact details such as telephone numbers and email addresses
• unique identifiers such as National Insurance numbers, and signatures for absent vote checking
• scanned application forms, documentary evidence and copies of correspondence sent and received
• notes about relevant circumstances you have told us about
• your previous or redirected address
• other occupants in your household
• whether you are over 76 or under 18
• whether you have opted out of appearing on the open version of the register
• for elections staff only, employment history and relevant performance notes

Special category information

Some of the information we collect is classes as special category data under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

This includes nationality, because it may reveal a person’s racial or ethnic origin.

Applications to register anonymously, and some information collected when recruiting staff, are also special category data.

We may also collect special category data during specific processes. This includes political affiliation during the nomination process for an election and certain health information as part of a proxy voting application.

Information we collect for elections and referendums

To run elections and referendums, we must also collect extra information that supports this work.

This may include:

• whether you voted at an election or referendum, and the method of voting (polling station or by post), but never how or for whom you voted
• information about candidates such as name, home address, place of work and employer, land owned or occupied by the candidate, date of birth and party affiliation (if any)
• information about agents such as name, home and office address, party affiliation and contact details
• expenditure and donations declared on candidate’s spending return
• the name and signature of anyone proposing, seconding or assenting to a candidate’s nomination
• the name, address and signature of anyone who has witnessed a candidate’s consent to nomination

Page last updated: 24 April 2026