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Annual register of electors canvass

At the end of every August, the Council delivers a register of electors canvass form to each of the 35,400 households in the district, asking residents to list all eligible voters and anyone who will become 18 before 30 November the following year.

The information from the canvass is used to update the Electoral Register which is published on 1 December every year.

If there are no changes to the details on the form, residents can use the free automated telephone response service on 0808 129 6807, the website www.voter-reg.com (This link will open in a new window) or SMS Text on 07538 683 954. If there are any changes, these need to be made on the form, before it is signed and sent back.

Opting out of the edited register

This year’s canvass form will show if residents have chosen to opt out of having their names included on the edited register, which can be sold by the Council.

For the first time, if residents want to continue to opt out they must tick a box to confirm their choice, or confirm electronically if using the website, telephone or text service. If they do not, their names will appear on the edited register.

Filling in the form

All eligible names must be added or confirmed on the form, but only one member of the household needs to sign or confirm it. The following people need to be included on the canvass form:

• Anyone living at an address in the district on 15 October aged 18 or over.
• British, Irish, European Union or qualifying Commonwealth citizens.
• Anyone who is 16 or 17 years old, so they are eligible to vote as soon as they reach 18.

If the Council does not get a reply, a reminder is sent out in mid October. If the Council has still not received a form by the end of October, householders will receive a personal visit.

By law a response must be made each year, even if there are no changes. If there is not a response or false information is provided, the householder may be liable to a fine of £1,000.

Rolling Registration

After 1 December the Electoral Register is updated every month. Anyone who moves after the Annual Canvass has taken place can apply to be registered at their new address.

Frequently asked questions

• My son or daughter is at university should I include them on the form?
• My son or daughter is 16/17 should I include them on the form?
• I expect to be moving in the next few weeks what should I do?
• My spouse or partner is now in a residential home what should I do?
• I am in the forces how do I register?
• I am only renting the property do I need to register?
• The form has the names of the previous occupants on it, what should I do?
• I am moving abroad to live how do I register?
• How do I get a postal vote?
• I am concerned about my name appearing on the register, what can I do?
• I have had the wrong form delivered to my house, what should I do?
• My address appears to be wrong, what can I do?
• Do I need to return the form?
• I have already told Council Tax do I really need to tell you as well?
• I am not interested in voting why should I register or return this form?
• I've tried to make changes on the phone/internet but it won't let me do it, what should I do?
• Can I forward this form to the people listed who used to live here?
• Is 'optin out' the same as removing my name from the register
• I've just received a reminder but I filled in the original form, why have you done this?
• Why have you put my child's name on the form, they are only 8.
• Why do you need to know my previous address?
• I'm just a tenant, can I fill the form in or should I give it to my landlord?
• Why do you need to know my nationality?

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