How to Register to Vote
To be able to vote in elections in the United Kingdom, you need
to be included on the Register of Electors. Depending on the time
of year, you can register either by rolling registration or through
the annual canvass. The annual canvass takes place from late August
to the beginning of November. If you move house and need
to register outside of this period you will need to complete a
rolling registration form.
Register of Electors 2011 Annual Canvass
The Register of Electors is updated each year during the Annual
Canvass period that runs from late August to the beginning of
November. During this time, every household in the Rochford
District will receive an annual canvass form.
If there are no changes to your details or if you just want to
opt out of the edited register, you can confirm this by telephone
or internet or alternatively by returning the form by post.
If however, you need to make any changes to the pre-printed
information on the form please alter the form where applicable and
return by post. There are guidance notes printed on the back of the
form.
You are required by law to give the information asked for on the
form. It is very important that you respond to this request as
failure to do so may result in your entry on the Register being
removed. You would then lose your right to vote and may have
difficulty obtaining credit. It is an offence to give false
information.
There are two versions of the register- the full register and
the edited register. The names of all the people included on the
annual canvass form will automatically be added to the full
register, if they are eligible to vote. Only certain people and
organisations can have copies of the full register for specified
purposes. It is a criminal offence for them to use it for any other
purpose.
The edited register can be bought by anyone and can be used for
different purposes such as checking your identity and commercial
activities such as marketing. You can choose not to be on the
edited register by ticking the ‘Edited Register’ box on the form.
If you do not wish to be on the edited register you must tick this
box every year, even if you have ticked this box previously you
must still tick it again. If you choose to tick the box on the
voter registration form, your name will only appear on the full
register.
If you choose not to tick the box on the voter registration
form, your name will appear on both the full and edited
registers.
If you have any difficulty completing the form or you need to
contact us, please call the helpline on 01702 318187 or e-mail
elections@rochford.gov.uk
Annual Canvass Timetable 2011
19th August to 1st September - First canvass
forms sent out
16th to 19th September - Reminder forms sent
out
7th to 31st October - Canvassers will start to
door knock any households that have not returned their forms
9th November 2011 - Publication of the
register