You need to include the name and nationality of everyone aged 16 or over who is resident and eligible to register to vote. If there are no eligible residents, you should state why this is the case.
Every year we are required by law to contact all households within the borough to check the information on the electoral register is correct.
Not all households will receive the same document. You household will receive one of the following four documents:
- Canvass communication email. If the Electoral Registration Officer has an email address for any elector registered in a household, and email will be sent during the week commencing Monday 20 July 2026. The email will come from canvass@bedford.gov.uk and will contain details of how to respond. The email is sent via a Bedford Borough Council email account. You need to respond to this email to confirm the details are correct, or make any changes required. If a response for the household is not received, a canvass communication letter will be sent to the property in the Autumn.
- Canvass communication letter which is headed “Is the electoral register information correct for this address?” You need to respond if any of the information printed needs to be updated. If all the details are correct, you do not need to respond to the letter.
- Canvass form (A3 form, folded in to A4) has pre printed names on of electors currently on the electoral register. You need to respond to this document.
- Canvass communication letter which is headed “You must respond so we can check who is eligible to register to vote” You need to respond to this letter.
Please note
- Canvass communication letters are always addressed to ‘The Occupier(s)’ not an individual.
- Anyone who is added to a form also needs to register to vote. This can be done online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.
- Paying Council Tax does not automatically add you to the electoral register.
- Register Securely is the portal we are using to record all canvass responses.
Why the information may not be correct
The information may not be correct because you:
- recently moved house
- recently changed your name
- are not registered at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
- are not named as a liable party with Council Tax
- have a different name format from the name on file, such as initials instead of your full name
Please note: If you’ve added a new person at your address, this person must then register to vote. Adding their name to the canvass communication does not automatically register them to vote.
If you need any help, please contact us:
Telephone: 01234718078
Email: canvass@bedford.gov.uk
We plan to publish our revised register on 1 December 2026.
What will happen after I complete the canvass communication?
Any new names added to a response will allow us to send a separate individual registration form to those in your household who are not yet registered. Or if names are crossed out it will allow us to remove anyone who no longer lives in the property.
How do I complete the information requested on the canvass communication?
Completing the form only takes a few minutes. You need to include the name and nationality of everyone aged 16 or over who is resident and eligible to register to vote. If there are no eligible residents, you should state why this is the case.
If anyone listed on the form is not living at your address, their name/s should be clearly crossed through.
The quickest way to reply is to go to www.registersecurely.com/bedford and log on with the security codes printed on the form sent to you.
If you do not have any changes to make, you can respond via our Freephone number (0800 197 3294). You will need the security codes for the property.
There are people listed on the canvass communication that don’t live here, what do I do?
If anyone listed on the form is not living at your address, you can remove their name/s via the online response form or their name/s should be clearly crossed through and the form returned to Electoral Registration.
Further questions and answers about the Household Canvass
Do I put down everyone who lives here?
Do I have to respond to a canvass communication?
The communication you are sent will say whether you need to respond or not.
If you do need to respond, the quickest way to reply is to log on to www.registersecurely.com/bedford - you will need the security codes printed on the form sent to you. If you do not have any changes to make, you can respond via our Freephone number (0800 197 3294) and the security codes printed on the letter.
I received a canvass communication but the information needs changing. How can I update it?
Any changes including adding or removing residents, nationality and name amendments, or now being aged 76 or over can be made online, alternatively you can amend the form and return it in the post. The updates will be made or you will be contacted you if we require further information.
Do I need to include my email address and phone number on the canvass form?
You are invited to include your email address and phone number on the canvass form, but you do not have to. We will use this information only in connection with your registration, and it helps us to contact you if there is a problem.
I have already applied to register, do I need to return the canvass communication I’ve received too?
Yes. The canvass communication is not a registration form, but instead provides us with information on who lives in your household. This means we can invite other residents, including any 16 or 17 year-olds, to register to vote if we need to.
I have already returned a canvass communication, do I need to return the registration form I’ve received too?
You should complete and return the registration form or register online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.
The canvass communication is not a registration form, but instead provides us with information on who lives in your household. This means we can invite other residents, including any 16 or 17 year-olds, to register to vote if we need to.
I pay Council Tax, why can’t you confirm my details using that information?
The details required for the Electoral Register are different from the details held on the Council Tax database.
I’ve responded, why have I received another form?
Your response may have been received after data has been produced and sent through to an external print company to print a reminder letter. We are unable to stop the additional letter being produced and sent out.
I have given you my name and nationality, is that all I need to do?
If you are registering as a new elector at the property, you will need to provide additional information to complete your registration. If you reply to the Canvass Communication online you will be redirected to www.gov.uk/register-to-vote Alternatively, an Invitation to Register will be posted out to you.
Why do you need my National Insurance number?
Since 2014, when you register to vote at a property as a new elector you must provide your date of birth and National Insurance number. These details are then verified using a national database to confirm your information, once confirmed you will be added to the electoral register on the next update.
I don’t have a National Insurance number, can I still register to vote?
When you complete your application to register, you can provide a reason for not having a National Insurance number. When we receive your application we will contact you and let you know what else we can accept.