What is the annual canvass?
Each year, between July and November, we are legally required to conduct an annual canvass of the borough in order to update the electoral register. This is to find out if there are any changes to the household so we can remove the details of people who no longer live there and invite new occupants to register individually.
The canvass process starts with a data matching stage, comparing elector details with national data (held by the Department of Work and Pensions) and local records.
Following this, correspondence will be sent to households, which will vary depending on whether the household data fully matched, partially matched, or did not match at all.
What happens if the data fully matches?
All individuals registered in these households that have provided us with their email address will be sent an email that requires a response, whether there are changes to make to the details or not.
Those households that do not respond and those that contain registered electors without a valid email address will be sent a (Green) paper form. This form only requires a response if there are changes to be made.
Following this, no further communication is sent to the household.
What happens if there is a partial or no match?
The property will be sent a (yellow) paper form which you must respond to, whether there are changes to make or not.
After a few weeks, a reminder email will be sent to all registered electors who individually matched in the data matching step and that have provided us with their email address, to remind them to respond.
If no response is received we are legally required to employ canvassers to undertake a personal visit to obtain a response and/or send reminder forms.
Please ensure you reply as soon as possible, even if the pre printed details are correct. Responding is a legal requirement, and failure to do so may result in a fine of up to £1,000. Your prompt response also helps reduce costs and save the council money.
Responding to this year's annual canvass
Please consider responding online, by telephone or by text message wherever possible.
What do I need to do?
To respond you need to make a note of your security code on the correspondence you receive and choose one of the options.
Respond online to this year's annual canvass
If all the details are correct on the paper form, you can also confirm this by either:
- Calling 0800 884 0701 or
- Texting NOCHANGE followed by both parts of your security code to 80212 (charges may apply)
Alternatively, you can complete the paper form and return it to Civica Election Services, 33 Clarendon Road, London, N8 0NW. However, using one of the electronic options above helps reduce council costs.
Registering to vote
Please note that the forms are not registration forms. Anyone added to the details pre-printed on the form will also need to register individually online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.
Registering to vote means you have a right to vote in elections and can also improve your credit rating.