By law, we must do an annual canvass of all residential properties.
Important note: If you pay Council Tax, it does not mean that you are on the Electoral Register.
When we do this
Between August and November.
How we do it
We contact all residential addresses in the borough to ask if the details we hold are still correct.
To start the canvass, we compare names and addresses on our Electoral Register with the information held by:
- The Department of Work and Pensions;
- and our Council Tax records.
Properties will be contacted in different phases, so not all addresses will receive something from us at the same time. If you receive a request for information, please respond right away. If you do not, we are required to send reminders. We may also need to employ canvassers to visit your property, which costs the Council money.
Please note: Your response may not automatically update information on the Electoral Register. We will contact you if further action is needed.
How we contact you
Your household may receive one or more of these:
-
An email
If you have previously provided an email address to Electoral Services, you may receive email. You must follow the instructions in the email on how to respond. You will be directed to https://www.householdresponse.com/Home/Welcome.
-
A letter addressed to 'The Occupier(s)' sent by post
You will be asked to check the names of people living at your address. Do not forget to add any 16 or 17-year-olds living at the property. You only need to respond if the letter says you must. Follow the instructions in the letter.
-
A 4-page canvass form (addressed to 'The Occupier(s)' by post
This form will ask you to confirm who is currently eligible to vote in your household. By law, you must respond to this form and provide the information requested.
-
A personal visit
If we do not receive a response to a request and information is still required for your household:
- One of our electoral registration canvassers may visit your address to collect the information required.
- If there is no answer when they visit, they will leave a calling card.
- Please respond as soon as possible, as the canvasser may have to visit again if a prompt response is not received.
How to respond
To confirm or update the details for your household, follow the instructions given in our communication:
- Visit the website and enter both security codes and your postcode in our letter, email or canvass form you have received.
- You can add or remove people once logged in.
Please note: There is a criminal penalty for:
- Failing to provide the information required when requested to do so by the Electoral Registration Officer of a maximum of £1,000.
- Providing false information to an Electoral Registration Officer is imprisonment or an unlimited fine.
Drop-in sessions
If you want to talk to us in-person about the canvass, electoral registration or how to vote.
The dates and locations for 2025
September
- Thursday 11th:
- 2pm to 4.30pm at Mixenden Library, Mixenden Road, Halifax. HX2 8PU.
- Friday 12th:
- 10am to 12.30pm at Brighouse Library, Halifax Road, Brighouse. HD6 2AF.
- Wednesday 17th:
- 1pm to 3pm at Brighouse Market, Daisy Street Car Park, Brighouse. HD6 1EL.
- Thursday 18th:
- 10am to 12.30pm at Todmorden Markets, Market Hall, Brook Street, Todmorden. OL14 5AJ.
- 1.30pm to 4pm at Hebden Bridge Library, Cheetham Street, Hebden Bridge. HX7 8EP.
- Friday 19th:
- 10.30am to 12.30pm at Elland Market, Town Hall Square, Elland. HX5 0ER.
- 2pm to 4.30pm at Rastrick Library, Crowtrees Lane, Rastrick. HD6 3NE.
- Wednesday 24th:
- 10am to 12.30pm at Halifax Central Library, Square Road, Halifax. HX1 1QG.
- 1pm to 3.30pm at Halifax Borough Market, Halifax. HX1 1DU. (Access via Albion Street, Southgate, Russell Street or Market Street.)
- Thursday 25th:
- 10am to 12.30pm at Hebden Bridge Market, Old Lees Yard, St George Square, Hebden Bridge. HX7 8AQ.
- Friday 26th:
- 10am to 12.30pm at Sowerby Bridge Library, Hollins Mill Lane, Sowerby Bridge. HX6 2QG.
- 2pm to 4.30pm at Todmorden Library, 8 Rochdale Road, Todmorden. OL14 5AA.
- Monday 29th:
- 10am to 12.30pm at Elland Library, Coronation Street, Elland. HX5 0DF.
- 2pm to 4.30pm at Northowram Library, Lydgate, Northowram. HX3 7EJ.
- Tuesday 30th:
- 2.30pm to 4.30pm at King Cross Library, 151 Haugh Shaw Road, Halifax. HX1 3BG.
October
- Thursday 2nd:
- 12.30pm to 2pm at Akroyd Library, Akroyd Park, Bankfield, Boothtown Road, Halifax. HX3 6HG.
- 2.30pm to 4pm at Beechwood Library, Beechwood Road, Halifax. HX2 9BU.
New residents
Each new resident must complete an application to be registered to vote at your address when details are provided to us in response to:
- the letter;
- email;
- or canvass form you have received.
An invitation to register will be sent by post or email to those eligible to register to vote. These names will not be included in the Electoral Register until the individuals have made successful applications to register to vote. There is no need to wait for the invitation. Those eligible to vote should register as soon as possible.
- To apply, visit: Register to vote (GOV.UK).
Those who does not register as soon as possible will receive a letter or email from us to formally invite them to do so.
Please note: It is a legal requirement to register to vote when invited by the Electoral Registration Officer. If you fail to do this without giving a good reason, you may be fined £80.
If you have a query about a communication you get from us or registering to vote, please email: electoral-services@calderdale.gov.uk.
Please do not forget to add those aged 16 and 17. Even though they cannot vote until they are 18, they can register now.
The benefits for you
- You must be on the Electoral Register to vote in elections.
- It can also help if you want to get credit for things like a mortgage or loan.