Mark Pack

As a circular from the Electoral Commission explains:

Until now, members of HM Forces and their spouses or civil partners registering through a service declaration have had to renew their registration every three years. From commencement of The Service Voters’ Registration Period Order 2010 on 19 March 2010, the length of registration based on a service declaration is now five years and so, from 19 March 2010, service voters will only need to renew their registration at the end of a five year period.

The extension of the length of registration will apply to all service personnel and their spouses or civil partners who register as service voters through a service declaration from 19 March 2010 onwards. It also applies retrospectively to those who are already registered as service voters, which in effect, extends their registration period by a further two years.