Credit Score Basics > Does voting affect your credit score?

Does voting affect your credit score?

4 minute read · Updated 18th April 2024

No, voting itself doesn't impact your credit score. However, being listed on the electoral register, regardless of whether you vote, boosts your credit score.

That's because, once you're on the electoral roll, lenders can go there to check your identity. This helps them avoid fraud and proves that you're a real person who lives at an actual address.

As a result, all the leading UK credit reference agencies – Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion – check the electoral register for your name and address.

In short, voting and being on the electoral roll are two different things. Voting won't improve your credit score – but being registered to vote will.

Plus, registering on the electoral roll is a legal requirement anyway, even if you don't plan to vote.

What is the electoral roll?

The electoral roll (officially called the Electoral Register) is a list of all the names and addresses of people registered to vote in the UK. The register includes your name, address, and electoral number and is used to establish what constituency you live in.

The main purpose of the electoral roll is to ensure that only real, eligible people can vote. However, it's also used for other purposes, such as in criminal investigations, selecting people to be called for jury duty, and, of course, for credit applications.

The full register is published once a year and updated monthly. It's held by your local electoral registration office in your local council buildings.

How much does being on the electoral roll affect my credit score?

According to Experian, registering to vote can increase your score by up to 50 points.

This is only an estimate, though. The real answer is "it depends".

If you have a limited credit history, you will probably see a more significant boost to your score than somebody with an established one.

Either way, being on the electoral roll will most likely give your credit score a slight boost.

Can my score go down if I register to vote?

Yes, it is possible, but only if you change your name or address on the electoral register.

Still, there's nothing to worry about. The credit score drop will only be minor and temporary, after which you’ll get the full benefits of being on the electoral register.

Plus, lenders can still see your previous information, so they'll understand why your score dropped.

How long does updating my score once I register to vote take?

You won't see an instant bump in your credit score right after registering to vote.

That's because it can take a few weeks or even months for your local council to notify the credit reference agencies (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion) that your credit file should be updated.

Who can register to vote?

To register to vote, you need to be:

Over a certain age: 14 or over in Scotland and Wales; 16 or older if you live in England; and 17 or over if you live in Northern Ireland.
A British citizen.
An Irish or EU citizen resident in the UK.
A Commonwealth citizen resident in the UK.
A citizen of another country legally residing in Scotland or Wales.

Simply registering to vote doesn't give you the right to vote, though. For example, you must be at least 18 to vote in general elections. Also, EU citizens who are residents of the UK can currently vote in local government elections but not in the general election.

If you're unsure, you can simply check your voting eligibility on the GOV.UK website.

How do I register to vote?

The fastest way to register to vote is to go to the GOV.UK website, which has a form that you can use to apply. You will need your National Insurance number and other basic information, like your name and address.

You can also register by post – just fill out a form and send it to your local Electoral Registration Office or the Electoral Office of Northern Ireland (EONI) if you live there.

One thing to remember when registering to vote is that you might want to remove your details from the so-called "open register." This is a version of the electoral register that businesses and charities can buy for marketing purposes.

This way, you'll avoid getting spam in your mailbox.

How do I know if I'm already on the electoral register?

If you live in England, Scotland or Wales, simply contact your local Electoral Registration Office. Each local authority is in charge of the electoral register in its own area. To find yours, go to this GOV.UK page and enter your postcode.

Another way to check if you're on the electoral roll is to enter your postcode on The Electoral Commission's website.

If you live in Northern Ireland, you'll have to contact the Electoral Office of Northern Ireland instead.

Also, remember that registering for council tax, self-assessment, or government benefits doesn't automatically put you on the electoral roll. You'll have to sign up yourself.

I've registered to vote, but it's not showing up on my credit report. What should I do?

If you've definitely registered to vote and it's been a few months, contact your local electoral office and let them know. They will contact the credit reference agencies.

If it's still not showing up, contact the credit reference agencies (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion) and let them know. You can complain to the Information Commissioner's Office if they don't correct it on time.

What if I'm not eligible to vote?

If you can't get on the electoral register, you can add a note to your credit file explaining the reason why.

To do this, you'll need to contact the credit reference agencies and request a Notice of Correction. In it, you'll need to explain that you cannot join the electoral register because you are ineligible to vote in the UK and provide them with some other documents to prove your address history.

This note on your credit file will allow lenders to see why they can't find you on the electoral register when you apply for credit.

What other benefits do I get if I register to vote?

Registering to vote is probably the fastest and easiest way to boost your credit score quickly. It takes just five minutes to add up to 50 points to your credit score.

But registering to vote has other benefits, too:

It can save you time when you apply for a loan. If lenders can't confirm your details via the electoral roll, they may ask for other documents to prove your identity and address.
It can make it easier to access certain services, like getting a passport or insurance.
Your identity will be more protected, especially if you re-register to vote once you move to a new home.
It can even make your job applications easier. Some employers, especially in finance, use the electoral roll to check details when you apply for a job.

Finally, registering to vote is only one of the many things you can do to improve your credit score. Other things you can do are registering for a service like Experian Boost or downloading a credit building app like Wollit.

Wollit reports both your monthly plan payments (and even your rent payments if you rent) to the credit agencies, building your credit history and showing future lenders that you're a responsible person who pays their bills on time.