Annual Canvass

The Annual Canvass is conducted every year to fulfil a legislative obligation placed on local authorities to ensure that the Register of Electors remains complete and accurate. In order to do this the Council delivers an Annual Property Canvass form to every household in the District.

The canvass runs from 1 September through until 30 November and is based on residency on 15 October. Delivery of the canvass forms is made simultaneously across the district during the first week of September.

Pre-printed on the canvass forms are the household registration details as recorded on the current register. Each elector is listed alongside other relevant information such as nationality and whether or not they are eligible for jury duty (dependent on whether under 70).

If the information pre-printed on the form is correct there are three ways in which you can respond in order to confirm it:

1. By using the free-phone number on the form, following the instructions given and using the 10 character security code printed on your form.
2. By using the internet registration service (details can be found on your canvass form).
3. By signing and returning the form to Electoral Services.

If the information on the form is incorrect or incomplete the form can be used to make any necessary changes:

• Electors who are no longer resident can be removed by crossing out their details.
• New electors can be added by writing their details on the form.
• Registration details can be amended by making the appropriate changes on the form where necessary.

The information collected during the Annual Canvass is used to compile the Register of Electors for the following year. This Register is published on 1 December and is in force for 12 months.