Why do you send a canvass communication every year?

In order to know who is eligible to register to vote, including any 16 or 17 year-olds we need to know who lives at your address. The canvass communication is designed to collect this information. The information provided on the form will allow us to send a separate individual registration form to all the people in your household who are eligible and need to register.

What will happen after I complete the canvass communication?

Any new names provided on the form 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) or by text (07860 020080) – 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.

Do I put down everyone who lives here?

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.

Do I have to respond to a canvass communication?

If you have been sent a canvass communication confirming the names of people already living at your address, and there are no changes, you do not need to respond. 

If you have been sent a canvass communication which asks you to make any changes, you need to respond by law, and provide the information requested on the form. 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) or by text (07860 020080) – you will need the security codes for the property.

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 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.