Council and democracy

Annual voter canvass

Every autumn, by law, the Electoral Registration Officer prepares a revised register of electors that is published on 1 December. This process is known as the annual canvass.  To ensure that correct and up-to-date information is contained in the revised register, registration forms are sent to every address in the borough. The register of electors is separate from other Council records so, for example, being registered for council tax does not automatically put you on the register of electors.

If you are eligible to vote make sure that your name is included on the registration form for your address.

The register of electors published on 1 December will form the basis of the register for voting at the  Local Government elections that will be held on Thursday 6 May 2010. There will also be a General Election within the next 11 months the date of which is unknown.

The information gathered from the forms, telephone and internet confirmation services and personal visits is then used to compile the revised electoral register.  

Changes

Changes to the information on the form can only be made by completing and returning the form. They cannot be made by phone or online.  To remove an elector, simply cross through their name on the form and initial. You can return your amended form in the envelope provided.

No changes

If there are no changes to the information on the form you can re-register by signing and returning the form or by using the telephone or internet confirmation services.

• telephone: 0800 197 4419
  
  You can use this option if there are no changes to the information on the form other than excluding or re-instating names from the edited register. You must use a touchtone phone. Our freephone number is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week during the canvass period. You will need the registration form with you when you use this service.

• internet: www.registerbyinternet.com/croydon
  
  You can use this option if there are no changes to be made to the information on the form (link as above). You must enter the two parts of your security code. For extra security please enter your postcode, as printed on your form, and the name of the person giving this information. You will need the registration form with you when you use this service.  

Confirmation by telephone and internet facilities will only be available until 27 November 2009.  

There are three stages to the annual registration audit:

Stage 1 - registration form:

Household registration forms will be sent to every property in the borough during the week commencing 10 August. The occupants must either complete and return the form for their address, listing all eligible electors living there or if there are no changes they can also respond by using the telephone or internet confirmation registration services. It is a legal requirement to complete the registration form even if there is no change to the information currently on the electoral register for the address. Failure to register to vote or deliberately giving false information could lead to a fine of up to £1,000.

Stage 2 - reminder form:

If no response has been received to the original registration form by 3 September (either by post, phone or online services) we will send out a reminder form during the week commencing 10 September.

Stage 3 - personal visits:

If there is still no response by 25 September, we will make personal visits to all non-responding properties during October to obtain the information requested on the form. Please respond promptly to avoid a canvasser calling at your home. 

Important Information

We will not be publishing monthly updates in October or November as individual rolling registration is suspended for the annual canvass. The final monthly update of 2009 will be published on 1 September and is based on individual voter registration forms returned by Monday 10 August. 

If you wish to be added to the electoral register between 11 August and 30 November, you must do so by completing the household registration form sent to your address. It will be in an envelope marked with "Voter Registration Form" and it will be addressed to "The Present Occupier".

If you have received this form, please check the details, add your name and the names of anyone else who is eligible to vote at your address, remove previous occupiers and return it to us. If you haven't received a registration form or if you have any queries about completing your form or about electoral registration in general please contact Electoral Services.

Contact Details

Contact name

Electoral Services

Telephone

020 8726 6300

Fax

020 8407 1308

Email

electoral.services@croydon.gov.uk

Address

Electoral Services
The Town Hall
Katharine Street
Croydon
CR9 1DE

Office hours are 8.45am to 5.15pm.