Annual household canvass of electors

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 we do not receive a prompt response, we are required to send reminders and 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.

• 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.

New residents

New residents at your address need to apply to register.

Each new resident at your address whose details are provided to us in response to the letter, email or canvass form you have received must complete an application to be registered to vote at your address.

Where new names are provided, an invitation to register will be sent by post or emailed 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 and those are eligible to vote should register as soon as possible.

• To apply, visit: Register to vote (GOV.UK).

Any new resident at your address who does not register as soon as possible will receive a letter or email from us to formally invite to register to vote at your address.

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.