How to vote

The annual canvass is a legal requirement designed to maintain the accuracy of the electoral register.

Each year we contact every household to check whether we have the correct people registered to vote and to ask you to tell us of any changes.

This year, where we can, we will be using data and electronic communication, such as email and text messaging before sending a hard copy letter, to make the process simpler and more cost effective.

Our emails and text messages contain a link to the official webpage (linked via the yellow button below) where you can register your response. They are genuine and they come from a recognised government domain.

Email: herefordshire.electoral.services@notifications.service.gov.uk  

Text messages: GOVUK

How to respond

Full details will be provided on the communication sent to you so please follow this carefully. The easiest way to respond is via the web:

Complete your response to the annual canvass

You must have your two security codes to register your response.

If there are NO changes to the information on your canvass communication you can respond via:

• Freephone: 0808 2841448
• SMS: by texting your TWO security codes separated by a space to 07786 209348

Frequently asked questions

I have received an email about the canvass but it hasn't come from a Herefordshire Council email, is this genuine?

The email will come from herefordshire.electoral.services@notifications.service.gov.uk which is a recognised government domain. It will contain a link to the response webpage so you can start your response. It is safe to click the link in the email.

The email will also contain the Herefordshire Council Logo and will be signed by the Electoral Services Manager Colette Maund. If you receive something different to this and you think it may not be genuine please contact the Electoral Services helpline for confirmation. We will ask you to provide your two security codes or your postcode and address to access your response for the annual canvass.

I have received a text message about the canvass but it hasn't come from a Herefordshire Council email, is this genuine?

The text message will come from GOVUK which is a recognised government domain. It will contain a link to the response webpage so you can start your response. It is safe to click the link in the email.

The text message will be signed by the Electoral Services Manager Colette Maund. If you receive something different to this and you think it may not be genuine please contact the Electoral Services helpline for confirmation. We will ask you to provide your two security codes or your postcode and address to access your response for the annual canvass.

Is the data I enter online secure?

The online service and data you provide is secure. It has been independently accredited, security tested and developed to meet the best practice guidelines for data security. The website address you enter your details on is: https://www.elecreg.co.uk/hfds This site is hosted by IDOX who are accredited by the government. You can see their accreditation by searching for IDOX on the GOV.UK Digital Marketplace.

I am already registered or have just applied to register to vote, do I still need to register my annual canvass response?

Yes you do. The purpose of the canvass communication is to find out if there have been any changes to who is living at your address and is about the whole household whereas registering to vote is an individual process.

So even though you are registered or have applied to register we still require confirmation that the information about your household is correct. If you have recently registered to vote and your name is not showing on your canvass form then you need to add it.

Why do you need to send a canvass communication every year?

By law* we have to send a canvass communication every year in order to know who is eligible to register to vote at your address. The information you provide will allow us to amend any incorrect information such as removing anyone who has vacated the property and allow us to invite any new residents to register to vote.

* section 9D of the Representation of the People Act 1983, the Representation of the People (England and Wales) Regulations 2001 and The Representation of the People (Annual Canvass) (Amendment) Regulations 2019.

There are no changes to the information on my canvass communication, do I still need to respond?

Full details and instructions will be provided on the communication sent to you. Some communications do not require a response but please read yours carefully and respond if asked to even if there are no changes to the information.

What happens if I don't respond to my annual canvass communication?

We are legally obliged to keep chasing you with reminders, followed eventually by a personal visit, which we are very keen to avoid.

There are people listed on the canvass communication that don't live here, what do I do?

If anyone listed on the form is no longer living at your address or it is not their main address then their name/s should be clearly crossed through on the form or you can remove their name using the web response.

Do I include the names of everyone who lives here?

You need to include the name and nationality of everyone aged 16 or over who is resident at the address and eligible to register to vote. If there are no eligible residents, you should say why this is the case.

Am I automatically registered to vote if I complete my canvass response?

No. The annual canvass is a household exercise. The communication to your household will show who is already registered to vote, so if you or anyone else over the age of 16 at the address are not listed then you are not currently registered. When completing a web response the system will give you the opportunity to register to vote as well if you need to.

I have recently registered to vote so why is my name not on the canvass communication?

We send our information to the printers several weeks before the forms are posted so if you registered to vote within the last month then your name is unlikely to show on the canvass communication. It is probably a crossover of information but please ring the Electoral Services helpline if you want confirmation.

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.

What will happen after I complete the canvass communication?

Any new names provided on the form will be sent a form or a link via email to register to vote. Registering to vote is quick and easy online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

Anyone changing their name on the register will be sent a change of name application form. You will be asked on this application to provide documentary evidence of your name change. A full list of documentary evidence to support your change of name can be found on the Electoral Commissions website. Your name on the electoral register should be the same as on any official documents so please include your full name including any middle names.

If you cross through or mark someone to be removed on your annual canvass response, we will begin the removal process for that person.

We cannot remove somebody from the electoral register without two separate pieces of information stating that they are no longer at the address*, so we may write to that person individually to check if they are still resident. If no response is received within 21 days then they will be deleted from the register.

*information received to remove someone could come from new occupiers, family members, other council departments or Royal Mail returns to sender

I have already returned a canvass communication, do I need to return the registration form I've received too?

Yes. The canvass communication is different to a registration form as it provides us with information on who lives in your household. The registration form is for you individually and once completed will enable you to officially register to vote. You should complete and return the registration form or register online.

My neighbour has received a canvass communication telling them they don't have to respond, so why does mine say I have to?

Before the annual canvass begins, every property has to be matched against the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) database to see if our electoral register information is the same.

Properties may receive different instructions on their communication based on their based on their match status, so please read yours very carefully and respond if required.

I have already responded to my canvass communication but have since received a reminder, do I need to complete this as well?

Not necessarily. If you have received a reminder within a week of completing your response, it is likely that the information has simply crossed over. We have to send our list of reminders to the printer a week before they go out in the post so this in unavoidable and a small number of people will receive an unnecessary reminder. If you would like to check that we have successfully received your response, please ring the Electoral Services helpline.

I am a student, should I register to vote in Herefordshire?

As a student you can register to vote at both your term time and home address. This means that you will be able to vote if an election is called at short notice. If you register to vote at home and at your term time address you are able to vote at local elections at both addresses. It is a serious offence to vote twice at a national election such as a Parliamentary General Election or a national referendum.

You can find more information on registering to vote if you are a student on the Electoral commission: Students website.

I have received my form at my second home

Having a second home doesn't necessarily mean that you can register there as well as at your permanent address. Registration at a second address is based on your residency.  Please read the below requirements to register at a second home, you must consider whether you feel you meet these before making an application:

• The property is not used purely for recreational purposes i.e. using it as a holiday home, rather than you being resident there

• You own and pay the council tax on the property, and you reside there - owning and paying council tax on a property gives an indication of connection to an address but is not evidence of residence 

• You are not just temporarily present at the address (i.e. being there on holiday, working away from your main residence there, using the address as temporary accommodation or living there as a guest). Temporary presence at the address does not make the person resident there

If after reading the above, you feel that your circumstances are such that you would not qualify, then you should remain registered only at your main residence.

If you are registered to vote at two addresses, you are only allowed to vote once at a national election such as a UK Parliamentary General Election or a national referendum.

See Electoral Commission: Voting and second homes for more information on registering to vote if you have a second home.

Why are annual canvass letters addressed to the occupier?

The format of a canvass communication is set by the Electoral Commission. It is addressed to The Occupier because anyone in the property can respond to the form on behalf of the household. If we address it to a particular resident and they subsequently move out, any paper communications would be returned undelivered.

Disabilities and incapacity

If you have a disability or impairment that prevents you from completing the canvass form or registering to vote please get in touch with us in writing to Electoral Services Office, Blueschool House, Blueschool Street, Hereford HR1 2LX or by phoning us on 01432 260107 or email canvass@herefordshire.gov.uk so that we can assist you.