Register to vote

Annual canvass 

Canvass reform means that we match all households with the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) database in early August. Those households that match will get a letter from us saying they do not need to take any action - only tell us if something has changed, such as someone who has recently moved out or changed their name. The letter tells you how to do this online.  

Households that do not fully match with the DWP database will be sent a letter and this asks them to go online or call the Freephone number to make any changes. This is a secure system - you will be given personal security codes on the form. Again, please do this as soon as possible - three weeks later we have to send a reminder.

We chase up non-responders with an A3 Canvass Form - this does require a response that you should ideally make online or by calling the Freephone number. This is a secure system - you will be given personal security codes on the form. Alternatively, post this form back to us with any amendments made, in the pre-paid envelope.

We are required to chase up non responders from late September. Households may receive another form from our Elections Office or, failing that, an in-person visit from one of our personal canvassers in late October. They carry identification and will not seek to enter your property but just encourage you to complete the form. If there are changes, we need to make sure we have actioned them so you are able to vote in any elections. Not being registered can affect your credit score.

A new register of electors will be published on 1 December 2023.

Timetable of events

• 21 August 2023 - Canvass Communication A (CCA) forms sent to matched properties
• 24 August 2023 - Canvass Communication B (CCB) and Canvass Forms (A3) will be sent to unmatched properties
• 26 September 2023 - Reminder Canvass Forms (A3) sent to non-responders
• 24 October to 13 November 2023 - Door-to-door personal canvass carried out by our appointed and trained canvassers
• 1 December 2023 - New electoral register published.

Register to vote

Registering to vote is straightforward and only takes a few minutes. If you are already on the Electoral Register, you do not need to register again.

Register to vote

1. Fill in your name, address, date of birth and the other details you are asked for. You'll also need your National Insurance number, which can be found on your National Insurance card, or in official paperwork such as payslips, letters about benefits or tax credits.
2. Once we've checked your details, we'll send you a letter to confirm if you've been added to the electoral register.

Once you have registered to vote and your application has been processed and confirmed, you will then be included on the next publication of the register, as detailed below:

Who can register to vote?

You can register to vote if you are:

• 16 years old or over (although you can’t vote until you are 18); and
• a British or Commonwealth citizen or a citizen of the Irish Republic or other European Union state:  List of eligible countries (PDF 89KB)
  

Privacy

To verify your identity, the data you provide will be processed by the Individual Electoral Registration Digital Service, which is managed by the Cabinet Office. As part of this process, your data will be shared with the Department of Work and Pensions and the Cabinet Office suppliers that are data processors for the Individual Electoral Registration Digital Service.

You can find more information about this on the Government website.

Absent voting

For more information on what to do if you're away or cannot go to your polling station on election day, please visit our Absent voting page.

The electoral register and the open register

There are two versions of the electoral register - the open register and the full version.

Opting out of the open register

The open register is an extract of the Electoral Register, but is not used for elections. It can be bought by any person, company or organisation. For example, it is used by businesses and charities to confirm name and address details. Your name will be included in the open register unless you ask for them to be removed.

Removing your details from the open register does not affect your right to vote.

To be removed from the open register, download and complete the  Opting out of the open register form (PDF 6KB).

The full register

Everyone’s name and address goes on the full version of the electoral register. The full version of the register is only used for:

• elections
• preventing and detecting crime (for example, fraud)
• calling people for jury service
• checking credit applications

A full version of the electoral register is held at The Forum in Hemel Hempstead and can be viewed by anyone under supervision.

Registering to vote anonymously

You may be able to register anonymously if you can show that there’s a good reason, such as you’re concerned about your safety.

Your details won’t appear on either version of the electoral register if you register anonymously.

Please contact us to find out if you can register anonymously. You will need to provide documentary evidence to support your application.

Contact us