What is the purpose of the annual canvass?
To ensure that we hold the correct details on the Electoral Register we are required by law to undertake a canvass of all households between July and November each year. We contact each household by post, telephone or in person. The communication you receive from us will let you know if you have to respond or not.
Being registered gives you the right to vote at elections and could also improve your credit rating or help you if you need to apply for credit.
Do I have to respond to a canvass communication?
It depends on what type of communication you have received. Check the code underneath the contact details on the front of the form:
- CCA you only need to respond if there are changes to report (if you have changes you need to respond by law)
- CCB by law you must respond, even if there are no changes
- CF by law you must repsonde, even if there are no changes
I have received a telephone call about the annual canvass. Is this from the council?
Yes, we are undertaking telephone canvassing for properties that we hold contact details for and have not received their response to the letters we sent them. The telephone canvass will take place between September and November and calls will be made from the main council offices.
Calls may take place in the evening and weekends (out of office hours), if a voicemail has been left you should contact the team using the number left on the call.
If you are worried about a call you have received you can contact us on 01772 625625 and ask for the electoral services team.
Responding to the annual canvass
If you need to tell us about any changes you can do so by:
- responding to the canvass online, using your unique security codes detailed on your letter
- you are also able to respond by email to elections@southribble.gov.uk or by calling 01772 625625.
- To send your response by post it should be addresses to Electoral Services, Civic Centre, West Paddock Leyland PR25 1DH.
If you have moved address
If you are no longer resident at the address you have received correspondence for you can use the online response option to notify us that you have moved out of that property. When responding via the online system you will need the security codes which will have been included in your email or letter.
What happens next?
Any new residents who are eligible to register will also need to make an individual registration application to complete the second stage of the process., simply adding them to the household response does not register them fully. You can register to vote by:
- completing a register to vote application on the GOV.UK website
- by using the information you provide, we will send separate paper individual registration forms to those residents.
When making your individual registration application you will need to provide your date of birth and National Insurance Number.