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Annual review of electoral registration (annual canvass)

Every year, we are required by law to conduct a review of electoral registration. This is to make sure the electoral register is as accurate as possible. 

We contact all residential properties in the area during the months between July and November to check who’s eligible to register to vote.

You may receive either an email or letter from us. Read it carefully as you may be required to respond. 

How to respond

Please read the information on your email or letter carefully:

  • to check whether or not you need to respond
  • to confirm that all the information is correct

It’s quicker to respond online or through text message. To do this, you’ll need your unique two-part security code contained in the email or printed on the letter.

If you need to respond, you can do so:

  • online using the household update service
  • By calling the automated phone system on 0800 8840701
  • By text or SMS on 80212
  • By post – make sure you complete the form fully, provide all the information requested and that you have signed the form before sending it back to us

If you are required to respond and you fail to reply, we will send you a reminder.

If you have already responded online or by phone, you do not need to return the form. 

Canvassers visit properties where a form has not been returned. 

No matter how you respond, if you add anyone’s name to your property in your reply this will not register them to vote. 

This is for information purposes only. You are only confirming the names of those at your property who should be on the electoral register. 

What happens next

If you:

  • add someone to the form, they will be sent an ‘Invitation to Register’ either via email or a form so they can register to vote
  • delete anyone from the form, we’ll write to the individual to confirm they no longer live at that address

Special category electors

Your name will not appear on the form sent to the property if you’re a special category elector, for example an overseas or service voter.

About the electoral register

The Electoral Register is not published during the months of September to November during the annual canvass. 

The revised register will be published on 1 December each year. This is a statutory requirement.

If you have any questions about the form or your electoral registration, you can get in contact with us.