Annual voter registration canvass - frequently asked questions
Find the answers to common questions about the annual voter registration canvass of residents.
- Why do you contact me every year?
- You've asked me to respond. Why do I need to if there are no changes?
- Where can I find the security codes for the household response service?
- The household response service says information has already been supplied. What should I do?
- The household response service says my sign in details are wrong. What should I do?
- I'm a previous occupant. Can I respond?
- I'm moving out soon. What should I do?
- I don’t know everyone who lives at my address. Can I still respond?
- I don't live at the address but know who does. Can I respond?
- The people on your list have moved out. What should I do?
- I have dual nationality, Why haven’t you listed both of my nationalities?
- You have sent a form to my shop/business. Do I need to respond?
Why do you contact me every year?
The Electoral Registration Officer is required by law to contact every residential address in the borough each year, to help ensure that the electoral register is accurate and up to date. Find out more about our annual voter canvass.
You've asked me to respond. Why do I need to if there are no changes?
If we’ve asked you to respond, please do so as soon as possible, even if there are no changes to your household's information. Responding lets us know that the details for your property are still correct. A prompt response will also prevent us from sending reminders or making a personal visit to your property, helping to reduce costs for the Council.
Where can I find the security codes for the household response service?
Your security codes are included in the email, text message or form inviting you to use the household response service. They’re labelled ‘Security Code Part 1’ and ‘Security Code Part 2’. Contact Electoral Services if you cannot find your security codes.
The household response service says information has already been supplied. What should I do?
If another member of your household has responded, a message will confirm that information has already been supplied and you can disregard any communications asking for a response. Contact Electoral Services if you need to provide information that was not included in the initial response.
The household response service says my sign in details are wrong. What should I do?
Please check that you have entered both security codes and your postcode correctly. Contact Electoral Services if you’re still unable to sign in.
I'm a previous occupant. Can I respond?
Do not use the household response service if you no longer have a connection to the property. Please complete a removal form as soon as possible and register to vote at your new address if you haven’t done so already.
I'm moving out soon. What should I do?
If there are currently no changes to the details we hold, you should respond as soon as possible to reflect the current situation. Please complete a removal form as soon as you move out and register to vote when you move to your new address.
If the information we hold is currently out of date, please contact Electoral Services so we can advise further.
I don’t know everyone who lives at my address. Can I still respond?
No. If you don’t know all the residents living at your property, you cannot provide a household response. Please forward the email, text message or form to your landlord, property manager or another resident who can provide accurate details for everyone living at the address. Find out how you can change your own details on the electoral register.
I don't live at the address but know who does. Can I respond?
If you’re aged 16 or over, you can respond if you have a current connection to the property or its residents, for example as a landlord, property manager or relative. As you’ll be providing information for the whole household, you must know everyone currently living at the address.
The people on your list have moved out. What should I do?
You can indicate this when you respond online or complete the paper form. Don’t forget to add the names of all current residents who are eligible to vote.
I have dual nationality. Why haven’t you listed both of my nationalities?
We can only record one nationality for each elector and we list the nationality that will give you the most voting rights.
You've sent a form to my shop/business. Do I need to respond?
If there is a residential part of the shop/business, the residents or property owner/manager needs to respond. If the property is purely used for business purposes and nobody lives there, delete any registered names and tick the ‘This is solely a business property’ option.