How can I register if I am a mental health patient?

A new concept of "notional residence" has been introduced. A declaration may be made at any point in the year, and will be valid for up to 12 months from the date of entry in the register, but may be cancelled at any time by the declarant.

Voluntary or detained patients (but not those detained for criminal activity) may register at:

• The institution where they are currently resident.
• The address at which they would be living (or have previously lived).

Patients in mental hospitals will be unable to vote in person at the polling station, and are specifically entitled to vote by post or proxy.

Electors registered in this way will be shown under the heading "Other electors" (at the end of the register), if the declaration states an address at which the declarant "has previously resided". Otherwise, where an address is given at which the declarant "is or would be residing but for (the circumstances entitling the declarant to make the declaration)" the elector may be shown at that address.

A declaration must be received by the Electoral Services Office within 3 months of the date the declaration was made, otherwise it is invalid. For further information, please contact the Electoral Services Office.