How it works
Canvass reform means that we data match all households with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) database in early June.
Where we have matched all electors
Households where we have matched all electors will get a letter in August, which does NOT require a response. If there are any changes it tells you to go online to make them.
Where we have not matched all electors
For the households that we have not matched, these will be sent a letter in August asking for action to be taken by someone in the household to confirm or update our records.
Action is taken by calling the automated Freephone number on the letter (for no changes) or online where you can make changes. You do NOT need to send the letter back to us. Again please do this ASAP as a couple of weeks later we have to send a reminder.
If you do not reply
We chase up non-responders with a canvass form - this does require a response that you should ideally make online or by calling the Freephone number. Alternatively, you could post this form back to us with any amendments made.
We chase up non responders from late October so households may get a phone call or email from us in the Elections Office or failing that a door-knock from one of our personal canvassers during November. They carry ID and will not enter your house. They will just encourage you to make a return.
If there are changes, we need to make sure we have made them so you are able to vote in any elections. Not being registered can also affect your credit score.
If you have a postal vote
If you have a postal vote in place, you will see an expiry date next to this on the Canvass Form.
Postal votes no longer last indefinitely, they now last up to 3 years.
As a result of changes made under the Elections Act 2022, we must notify electors whose postal votes are due to expire on 31 January each year.
Over the summer we have sent a formal letter or email asking those electors to reapply for their postal vote if they still wish to vote this way.
If contacted and you do not reapply, your postal vote will end on 31 January 2026.
Reapply for your Postal Vote now
To speed up this process we are contacting all postal voters from May 2025 who will be affected, encouraging them to go online now and reapply.
It is quick and easy to apply using the Government's secure website.
You will need to enter your National Insurance Number and upload a photo of your signature.
If you do not have access to the internet or cannot do this yourself online, someone you know could help you apply. Alternatively, you can contact us to provide a paper application form on request on elections@braintree.gov.uk or call 01376 557760
What happens next
Anyone who is added to a property will still need to register to vote unless they have already registered via the online response service.
We will send an 'Invitation to Register Form' to anyone who is added to the paper canvass form so that they can register to vote. You can also register to vote online.
Remember that by completing the canvass form you are not registering to vote, only confirming the names of people at the property.
If you remove anyone from the form, we will write to you to confirm that they no longer live at the property.
Electoral register
The Electoral register is a list of the names and addresses of everyone who is registered to vote within Braintree's electoral area.
The new electoral register will be published on 1 December 2025.
Elections
Electoral Registration Officer and Returning Officer
Address: