Frequently Asked Questions - Canvass
Our annual electoral
canvass
Frequently Asked Questions
I'm not interested in voting so why should I
register?
You have to register to vote - it's the law. Whether
you vote or not is your decision. Not being on the electoral
register can affect your credit rating and make it difficult to
obtain credit for things like mortgages, loans or credit
cards.
- My partner is Russian. Do I
need to add him/her to the form?
No, because they're not from a qualifying
country. You must be British, Irish, or from another
Commonwealth country such as India or Canada for example. You can
also qualify to vote if you're from an EU country. The full list of
EU countries are listed on the back of the canvass form. If you
have dual nationality you can be included. Likewise if
they have taken British nationality – you will have a
naturalisation certificate to this effect.
- My child is at university.
Should I include them on the form?
Yes if this is still their main home. But they
can also register to vote at university. You can be on the
electoral register more than once - but you can only vote
once.
- Should I tick the opt-out box if I
want to avoid junk mail?
It can help. Companies often buy a copy of the
edited register for marketing purposes. Not being on the
edited register means that your name and address won't be shown.
You can choose not to be on the edited register if you return your
form by post or if you call us or register online. You can't
opt-out if you register by SMS.
You can also opt-out of junk mail by registering with the
Mail Preference Scheme.
- I am only renting the property do I
need to register?
Generally yes. This will also prevent you having
problems in the future with possible credit ratings.
- My partner is now living in a care
home. What do I do?
Cross their name off the form and return it to
us. We canvass care homes separately.
- I'm French and want to vote here in
the European Elections – what do I need to do?
Make sure you're registered. France is an EU
country and you're entitled to vote. Call us for more
details.
- My child is 18 on 2nd November
this year do I include them?
They should already be shown on the register as they
should have been included with the date of their 18th birthday
during last year’s canvass.
We need to capture everyone - including those who turn 18
over the next twelve months.
-
My son/daughter is 16/17 – should I include his/her name
on the form?
YES – all 17 year olds and 16 year olds who will be
17 by 1st December this year should be included on the new
register. They may vote as soon as they become 18.
Please do not disappoint them by missing their name off the
form.
I do not want to
be called for jury service – how do I avoid this?
If you're over 70 this column should be marked to
indicate that you're not entitled to be called for jury
service. If you think you shouldn't be included for jury
service, for whatever reason, then you will have to explain
why if you ever get called.
- I am concerned that my ex-partner
may be able to find me if I register?
You still need to register but you could consider
registering under a different name; for example, your mother's
maiden name. You could also tick the 'opt-out' option.
In some circumstances, you can apply to register anonymously.
- We spend 6 months of the year in
Spain do we need to register?
Yes - because this is still your main home in
this country and you spend a considerable amount of time
here. You could also register as an overseas electors – but
this means you can only vote in parliamentary elections.
- The property is only lived in at
the weekends as it is a holiday home. Do we need to register or
return the form?
This is completely up to you. You can register
at your main home and/or this holiday home. You can be on the
electoral register more than once - but you can only vote
once.
- I am in the armed forces. Do I need
to register?
You've got two options.
1. If you're stationed locally, at RAF Cosford for example, then
you can still register at your home.
2. If you're moving around or regularly stationed abroad then you
should look into applying for a postal
vote or proxy vote.
External Links:
- We are moving to live abroad how do
I still vote?
Delete your names from the form and return it to us
and request an 'overseas electors' form. This will allow you
to vote in Parliamentary elections. We'll post you a new canvass
form each autumn.
British Citizens living overseas
can still vote in UK Parliamentary and European Parliamentary
Elections for 15 years after leaving the UK.
- I'm a crown servant
working abroad.
If you're working outside the UK as a Crown Servant
or as an employee of the British Council, you can still register to
vote. You can also register if you are married to a Crown
Servant or British Council employee and you are accompanying them
during their employment abroad.
An Application Form is available from the following link:-
External Link:
aboutmyvote.co.uk - Application Form
Can I
add my name(s) to the register on the internet/free-phone or by SMS
text?
No. Our electronic registration methods
such as freephone, text and internet are only for
confirmations of existing electors - i.e there haven't been any
changes since you last filled the form in.
- Why should I send the form
back when you know I live here?
It's a legal requirement to return the
form. We're required to chase up
non-responders.
- I've had the wrong form
delivered to my house?
Just post it back to us and we'll send you out a new
form.
- My postcode or other part
of the address is wrong?
Simply make the change on the form and send it back
to us.
- I live on a narrow boat –
can I be registered?
Yes. We'll record you under your boat’s name at a
mooring in our area. You can give a correspondence address so
we can write to you, send poll cards etc.
- I own a camper van and
have no permanent address – can I still be registered?
Yes you can. You can still register to vote even if
you do not have a fixed address.
To register, you need to fill in
a form called a 'Declaration of Local Connection' by clicking on
this form.
Declaration of
Local Connection (73KB)
- The form has the names of
the previous residents of my house – should I forward them to
you?
No. The form is meant for you and your
household. Simply cross out their names on the form and add
your name(s) on the blank lines, sign and date the form and post it
back to us.
- I don't want a postal vote
but there is already a tick in the box against my name?
If you no longer want a postal vote, simply cross
out the pre-printed tick, sign and return the form to us.
I expect to move home in the next few weeks – what should I
do?
Wait until you are sure where you will be on the
15th October. If you're still at your current address then
complete the form and send it back to us. If you've moved by
this date then leave the form for the new occupants and remember to
complete a new form at your new address.
Links
More FAQs
Go back to the elections
homepage
Contact
Phil Hardy
Electoral Services Manager
Phone: (01902) 696119, or
General queries Helpline (01902) 696121