Annual Canvass 2011 - FAQ
When will the canvass take place?
What will happen?
Why have you sent me this form ? Council tax already hold my details.
What will happen if I don’t fill the form in?
The form has the old occupiers’ details on it, what should I do?
Can I just forward the form to the people who used to live here for them to complete?
Does everyone in the household need to sign the form?
What does that mean “opt-out” of the edited register?
Where is the “opt out” box on the form ? How do I “opt out”?
Is “opting out” the same as removing someone from the register?
I’ve lost my form/ the dog has chewed it/ I have made a mistake what should I do?
Why do I have to tell you if there are any 16 or 17 year olds in the house?
Why do you need to know my nationality?
Why do you need to know my previous address if I moved within the last year?
Why do you need my contact details – are these going to be published anywhere or given to anyone else?
I am the “Head of Household” but my details are not first on the form, why is this?
I have a second / holiday home, which form should I complete?
I am a tenant at my property – should my Landlord complete the form?
A relative has gone into hospital, temporarily – can I sign their canvass form?
A relative has gone into residential care – what should I do with their form?
My Son/Daughter is going to University – Should I include them on my form?
My Son/Daughter has joined the forces – Should I include them on my form?
I am showing on the form as having a Postal/Proxy Vote – Can I cancel this?
I would like to have a Postal/Proxy vote, how do I do this?
I have received a reminder form , but I have completed a form/ telephone registration already, why have you sent this to me?
I am going to live abroad, Can I still register to vote?
I am moving house soon but don’t know the actual date yet – Should I complete the form?
When will the canvass take place?
This year the canvass will take place between Thursday 1 September 2011 and Sunday 28 November 2011
What will happen?
You will receive a black and white A4 sized form to your property addressed to “The Occupier”. You should complete the registration, by either sending the form back to us in the post, if there are amendments to be made. Or by using the telephone, or internet registration process, if there are no changes to be made to the details we hold
If we have not had a completed registration from your property by 14 September a reminder form will be sent to you.
If you do not return either of the original forms a Canvasser will call to your property any time between 29 September and 11 November to have a form completed.
Why have you sent me this form? Council tax already hold my details.
The Electoral Registration Officer has a statutory duty to keep a separate record of all eligible electors living at each property. This information is gathered every year during the annual canvass and a revised register of electors is produced. This register is then used for all forthcoming elections held during the year.
What will happen if I don’t fill the form in?
The law requires you to give the information requested to the Electoral Registration Officer. (Regulation 23 of the Representation of the People Regulations 2001). Any person failing to comply with the request or who gives false information is liable to be fined up to £1,000.
The form has the old occupiers’ details on it, what should I do?
Cross through the old details and write your own on the form and those of any other occupant in the property, who is eligible to vote. Post the form back to us in the envelope provided.
Can I just forward the form to the people who used to live here for them to complete?
No – the form and the details on it are specific to the property and the new householder (s) should complete the form with their details. The people who used to live at your address will be getting their own form addressed to their new address.
Does everyone in the household need to sign the form?
No – just one responsible person can sign on behalf of everybody else during the canvass period, however each person should be asked if they wish to “opt-out” or not, of the edited register.
What does that mean “opt-out” of the edited register?
The register of electors is produced as two documents, the “full” register and the “edited” register.
The “full” register lists the names and addresses of everyone that is registered to vote. It is a public document and anyone can look at it, here at the council offices. It is a criminal offence to supply or use copies of it for purposes other than those set down in law.
The main use of the full register is to show who can vote in elections and referendums. Credit reference agencies will also use it to check your name and address if you apply for credit.
The “edited” register is available for general sale and can be used for any purpose. This version of the register can be bought by any person, company or organisation and can be used for marketing. You can stop your details appearing on this version by “opting out”, indicate your wish on the form by ticking in the relevant box.
Please visit About My Vote 
for more information.
Where is the “opt out” box on the form ? How do I “opt out”?
Each name is printed within a grid on the form – follow the line across the page to where the name meets column marked “edited register”, column V. •If you wish to “opt out”, just place a tick in the column on the same line as your name.
•If there are no other changes to your details and you are registering by telephone, or internet, then you will have the chance to “opt out” during the registration process.
Is “opting out” the same as removing someone from the register?
No – to remove a person from the register completely you will need to cross through their name. If you just tick in column v their details will still remain on the “full” register at the property, which is used for voting purposes.
I’ve lost my form / the dog has chewed it/ I have made a mistake what should I do?
If we do not receive the first form back then a second reminder form will be sent to you – for dates see above. If this is not convenient then call Electoral Services on 01462 474205 and we will send you a replacement.
Why do I have to tell you if there are any 17 year olds in the house?
As soon as a person reaches their 18 birthday, they can vote in any relevant elections providing they are on the register of electors. By putting those youngsters on the register with their date of birth they will automatically become eligible to vote when their 18 birthday passes, without them having to apply for registration.
Why do you need to know my nationality?
Only residents who are British, Irish, Commonwealth citizens or citizens of the European Union are eligible to go onto the register of electors. There are restrictions as to the type of election you can vote in dependent upon nationality. For example European Union Citizens resident cannot vote in UK Parliamentary Elections but may vote in Local Elections.
Why do you need to know my previous address if I moved within the last year?
Even though you should tell the Registration Officer by law when you move house, it is understandable that some people forget to do so. By giving your old address on the form we can check our records to make sure your details have been removed. This also helps us to produce a more accurate register.
Why do you need my contact details – are these going to be published anywhere or given to anyone else?
We find it extremely helpfull if we have either a contact number or an e-mail address, at which to contact you should we have a query regarding your registration. We do not divulge these details to any one else, they are purely for the use of Electoral Services.
I am the “Head of Household” but my details are not first on the form, why is this?
The register is produced in house number order within alphabetical streets, which are then listed in Polling Districts. The Electors within each household are listed by first name, alphabetically. For example, “Neil” and “Julie” have a daughter called “Danielle”, they would appear alphabetically as; Danielle, Julie and then Neil.
I have a second/holiday home, which form should I complete?
You can register to vote in more than one place , providing that you live in both places for approximately the same amounts of time during the year. However, please note that it is an offence to vote more than once in the same parliamentary election.
I am a tenant at my property – should my Landlord complete the form?
The form should be completed by the people living in the property. It is your responsibility, as occupiers, even if you do not own the property to complete and return the form.
A relative has gone into hospital, temporarily – can I sign their canvass form?
Yes - any responsible person can sign the form to confirm that the details are correct. You can also amend the relevant details. Please fill in your contact details in case we have a query.
A relative has gone into residential care – what should I do with their form?
Cross their name off the form, sign it and return it to us for processing. All Nursing Homes will receive a form and they are responsible for adding your relatives details to their form.
My Son / Daughter is going to University – Should I include them on my form?
Many Students remain registered at their home address whilst at University. This saves them having to re register every time they move during studying. They can apply for a Postal Vote to be sent to their away address or they can nominate a Proxy to vote on their behalf at their usual polling station.
My Son / Daughter has joined the forces – Should I include them on my form?
Your Son / Daughter can remain registered at the home address as an “ordinary Elector”, or they can register via the forces as a “Service Elector”. Service Declarations have to be renewed every three years and there is the chance that any arrangements set up at the beginning of the three years may become outdated.
I am showing on the form as having a Postal/Proxy Vote – Can I cancel this?
Yes – just cross through the mark for Postal or Proxy against your name, initial aginst it and return the form to us, we will amend our records.
I would like to have a Postal/Proxy vote, how do I do this?
Contact Electoral Services on 01462 474205 for an application form or make a note of your request on the canvass form and we will send you one.
I have received a reminder form , but I have completed a form/telephone registration already, why have you sent this to me?
We need to send data to our printers about 7 days before the reminders are posted out to households. We may have received your registration after the data was prepared. The easiest thing is to telephone us on 01462 474205 to see if we have received your registration, or you can complete the second form and return it to us. We would prefer to receive two notifications than none at all !
I am going to live abroad, Can I still register to vote?
Yes – Contact Electoral Services for more information as your registration has to be linked to an address at which you have lived in the UK. If you have been registered in the UK you will be able to vote in Parliamentary Elections for up to 15 years providing you are registered as an Overseas Elector.
I am moving house soon but don’t know the actual date yet – Should I complete the form?
The 2012 register is compiled and published based on where you are living on 15 October 2011 – the qualifying date
•If you are moving before 15 October , cross out your details on the form but leave the form for the new occupants to complete and send to us.
•If you are moving after 15 October, complete the form and return to us by post or use the automatic registration processes. Remember to contact us once you have moved and we will send you a “rolling registration” form to complete for your new address.
If you have any queries that are not answered here please contact Electoral Services on 01462 474205.
