Viewing the register

How to view the register

There are two versions of the electoral register which are available to view. The registers are updated each year and published on 1 December, following the annual canvass.

The full version of the electoral register

The full version of the electoral register contains the name and address of every registered elector. Access to the full register is restricted by law and the use of the data is limited to certain purposes.

Paper copies of the full register of the West Suffolk area are held at West Suffolk House, Western Way, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 3YU.

The full version of the electoral register may be inspected, under supervision, by a council officer, by any person during usual office hours (subject to satisfying the Electoral Registration Officer as to the necessity of seeing the full information rather than using the open version of the electoral register).

Handwritten notes are not permitted. The use of copying machines, photography and computers is not permitted. This includes entering data into a mobile phone or electronic device.

There are restrictions on what information obtained from the full register can be used for. You will be required to complete and sign a declaration form prior to viewing.

The open version of the electoral register

The open register is an edited version of the electoral register and electors can opt out of having their details published within it. The register is updated monthly.

Information obtained from this register may be used for any legitimate purpose. Please note that only handwritten notes may be made. The use of copying machines, photography and computers is not permitted. This includes entering data into a mobile phone or electronic device.

To make an appointment to view the open register of the West Suffolk area, get in touch with Electoral Services by sending an email to elections@westsuffolk.gov.uk giving details of the geographical area which you wish to view. We will aim to provide an appointment within five working days, to ensure there is someone available to help supervise your viewing.

There are no restrictions on access - it may be looked at without supervision from a council officer.

Both registers are filed by:

ward
polling district, then
road (in alphabetical order).

It is, therefore, a good idea to know the road name and/or ward name before you begin. It is not possible to search the open register by surname.

The full and open versions of the electoral registers do not contain telephone numbers or email addresses.

Further details can be found on our Privacy Notice for Electoral Registration.

How to purchase the open register

You can purchase the open register by emailing Electoral Services at: elections@westsuffolk.gov.uk or by writing to Electoral Services, West Suffolk Council, West Suffolk House, Western Way, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 3YU.

The charges are set by the Government and are listed below.

Details	Electronic data	Paper
Admin charge per purchase	£20	£10
Per 1,000 names	£1.50	£5

A printed copy of the open register costs £10 plus £5 per 1,000 entries (or part). As a rough guide, a printed copy will cost approximately £260 (based on 50,000 entries).

An electronic version of the open register costs £20 plus £1.50 per 1,000 entries (or part). As a rough guide, an electronic copy will cost approximately £95 (based on 50,000 entries).