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Electoral register

Annual canvass of electors

The register of electors is updated every autumn. At this time of year, the only way to get your name and the names of other members of your household included in the register is by filling in an annual canvass of electors form.

If you do not return a form your name may be left out of the new version of the register, even though it may already be included in the current one. If you have had a form delivered by post check the details carefully, before signing it and returning it to the Electoral Registration Officer. If your details are still the same and no changes are necessary to the form we have sent you, then you could confirm your details on the Internet, by phone or by text. To use this service you need to have your voter registration form to hand.

You must, by law, give the information requested in the form.

You should include everyone living at your address on the 15 October, who is or will be eligible to vote. But you need not wait until then to fill it in.

People eligible to be included on the register of electors are:

• All United Kingdom, Commonwealth and Irish citizens over 18 living at your address on 15 October.
• All citizens of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden. Remember to write your nationality in column (c) of part 2 on the front of the form.
• 16 and 17 year-olds. They can vote as soon as they are 18. Please write their name in part 2 and include their date of birth in column (d).
• Anyone who normally lives in your household but is temporarily away. For example on holiday, in hospital, a student in the United Kingdom, or a person on remand (convicted prisoners should not be included).
• Anyone who is away working, unless they will be away for more than six month.
• Any other residents, tenants or lodgers (but not short-stay visitors).

You should not include:

• People who are not citizens of the United Kingdom, Ireland, a Commonwealth or European Union country
• People under 16
• Convicted people in prison on 15th October
• Service or overseas electors
• Occupiers of business premises (unless they live in the property).

The register of electors is used by the courts to call people for jury service. People aged 70 or over cannot sit on a jury. You should put a tick in column (e) of the form opposite the name of anyone who will be 70 or over on 15 October. If they are not able to sit on a jury for any other reason they will be able to say so if they receive a jury summons.

There are now two versions of the register. The names of all the people included on annual canvass form will automatically be added to the full register, if they are eligible to vote, but you must tell us whether anyone does not want their name to be included in the edited register. Place a tick in column (g) of the form opposite the name of anyone who does not wish to appear in the edited register or if it is indicated that you have already opted out of this register, place a tick in the box at the top of column (h). You must ask all residents at your property their preference before completing the canvass form.

Anyone on the electoral register can vote by post. You can have a postal vote for just one election or for all elections, either during a set period or indefinitely. To apply for a postal vote simply place a tick in part 2 (column f) opposite your name and an application form will be sent to you. Alternatively see voting by post. If part 2 shows that you already have a postal (or proxy) vote you do not need to apply again unless you want to make alternative arrangements.

The new register is published on or shortly before the 1 December. If your details change after the 15 October (for example, if you change your name or your address) you should contact Electoral Services for advice.

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