Annual canvass

How it works

Canvass reform means that we data match all households with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) database in early June. (Due to the General Election on 4 July 2024 this was delayed until end of July.)

Where we have matched all electors

Households where we have matched all electors will get a letter in mid September, 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 mid September 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.

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 2024.