Register to vote if you are homeless or have no fixed address

If you are homeless, rough sleeping or in temporary accommodation you can still register to vote.

You can register to vote if you are homeless, rough sleeping or in temporary accommodation. 

You can arrange to vote in a polling station close to where you are living or where you spend time during the day. 

Living in temporary accommodation, or staying with friends or family

If you live in temporary accommodation you can register to vote online in the same way as everyone else. If you are living short term with a friend or your family you can register online too, as long as the person that you're staying with is happy for you to use their address as a mailing address for your poll card.

The website at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote is the quickest and easiest way to register. You can use any computer, tablet or smartphone as long as it is connected to the internet.

Before you start, it will help you to have:

  • the postcode of your address
  • your National Insurance number

This information is required to complete your application. Paper forms are available, but take longer to process.

If you do not know your National Insurance number we will need you to provide some additional proof of identification before we can complete your application. Please provide a contact email address or telephone number so that we can minimise any delay.

Voter registration packs for people with no fixed address

If you can't use where you're staying as an address for your poll card you can use somewhere where you spend time. For example a hostel, drop-in centre or library. The location does not have to be a building, it can be outside. It must be a recognisable place.

Register to vote by filling in a paper form called a 'Declaration of local connection'.

We let you know which polling station near your specified location you will be able to vote at. 

You can use Hove Town Hall as your correspondence address if you're without an alternative. The correspondence address is separate from the location within the city where you spend most of your time.  

  • Voter registration packs that include a declaration of local connection form are available. You can collect a voter registration pack from many hostels, shelters and day centres in Brighton & Hove.
  • Download and print a declaration of local connection form on the GOV.UK website. Choose "Register to vote: No fixed or permanent address in England and Wales". The form is near the bottom of the web page.

You need to complete the form in ink and make sure that you answer all of the questions that apply to you. If you do not have a fixed address, you will usually need to tick the first box in the “Your address for registration” section and enter the address that you want to use in the box marked “Address 1”.

Return the form to Electoral Services office, Hove Town Hall, Norton Road, Hove, BN3 3BQ.

If you do not know your National Insurance number we will need you to provide some additional proof of identification before we can complete your application. Please provide an email address or telephone number so that we can minimise any delay.

Extra help if you need it

If you are looking for more information. Advice for the following people is available on the Electoral Commission website:

  • A patient in a mental health hospital
  • Homeless
  • A merchant seaman
  • Part of the gypsy or travelling community
  • Living on a boat or other moveable residence
  • A person remanded in custody

You can find out more on the Electoral Commission website 

If you are having problems with the forms, identification required, or need more information please contact the Electoral Services team: