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. This could be someone who has recently moved out or changed their name. If someone living in the household is not registered but is eligible they can apply online on the Government website.  

Households that do not fully match with the DWP database will be sent a letter (CCB form) or a canvass form (A3). These forms ask you to go online to make changes or advise no changes via the Freephone number or text message. 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 to the forms with a reminder. These will be sent out in September. This does require a response that you should ideally make online for changes or by calling the Freephone number/text message for no changes. 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 will chase up non responders. These households may get another form from us. Failing that, our personal canvassers will visit you from late October/early November. 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 elections. Not being registered can affect your credit score.

A new register of electors will be published on 1 December 2024.

Timetable of events

  • 22 August 2024 - Canvass Communication A (CCA) forms sent to matched properties
  • 22 August 2024 - Canvass Communication B (CCB) and Canvass Forms (A3) will be sent to unmatched properties
  • 23 September 2024 - Reminder Canvass Forms (A3) sent to non-responders
  • 22 October to 11 November 2024 - Door-to-door personal canvass carried out by our appointed and trained canvassers
  • 1 December 2024 - 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:

Register to vote deadlines for 2024
Deadline for applications Date added to the register
10 December 20232 January 2024
10 January 20241 February 2024
8 February 20241 March 2024
11 March 20242 April 2024
9 April 20241 May 2024
10 May 20243 June 2024
7 June 20241 July 2024
10 July 20241 August 2024
9 August 20242 September 2024
9 September 20241 October 2024
10 October 20241 November 2024

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). Please see new rules for EU citizens below.
  • a British citizen living overseas - all British citizens living overseas who were previously registered or resident in the UK can now register to vote.

EU citizens who live in the UK

From 7 May 2024, the Government introduced the following changes:

  • EU citizens who were living in the UK before 1 January 2021 will keep their right to register, vote and stand in elections.
  • Those who have arrived after 1 January 2021 will have these rights only if they are citizens of an EU country with which the UK has agreed the same rights for UK citizens. This is known as a 'reciprocal arrangement'.

We are writing to to all EU citizens to advise what action those affected need to take. 

You can find out more about the changes on the Electoral Commission website.

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.

Electoral register

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

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).

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

How to view the electoral register

A full version of the electoral register is held at The Forum in Hemel Hempstead. It is available to view under supervision. To make an appointment, please call 01442 228000 and ask for "Electoral Services" or email er@dacorum.gov.uk.

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

Email: er@dacorum.gov.uk 
Telephone: 01442 228000 and ask for Electoral Services

Page Last Updated: Wednesday, 11 September 2024 at 01:15 PM