The register of electors or electoral roll is updated every year.
Every summer, by law we have to write to every household in Tamworth to check who is registered or eligible to be registered to vote. We then update our electoral register, which is published every year on 1 December.
What you need to do
We will shortly be commencing our annual canvass for the electoral register. In the next few days your property will receive a letter – please note that this will be addressed to “The Resident/Occupier” and the white envelope will have a black box on the front along with the council logo.
Please read the form we send you very carefully and if you need to report a change or you are asked to respond please do so before the deadline printed on the form.
The form will contain the following information we hold for the address:
- who we have currently registered
- whether they are aged 76 or over
- their nationality
- if they are registered for a postal or proxy vote and if they want to be included on the open register.
If you want to change your opt out preference please complete this Open Register Request form (pdf)
If you would like to vote by post please visit: https://www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote
Please read your letter carefully and follow the instructions for your household so the electoral register is accurate and up-to-date.
The quickest and easiest way to respond is by going online and quoting your two-part security code printed on your form. You can find this on page 1 of your form.
Confirm your details online now
If you are unable to use the online service you can respond in the following ways:
|
RING IT To confirm no changes call: 0800 884 0701 |
TEXT IT To confirm no changes text: 80212 |
POST IT Using the freepost envelope where enclosed |
| You will need to quote your two-part security code printed on page 1 of your form. | ||
If you don't respond
We’ll send a reminder, followed by a visit from a canvasser who will ask you to complete the form. It's quick and easy online, and takes less than five minutes.
If you still don't respond you risk being removed from the register. If you're not registered you can’t vote and your credit score may be affected.
It is a legal requirement to provide the information requested; if you don't you could be fined £1,000.
What do I do if my name is not on the form?
Let us know you are there by responding to the canvass mailing sent to your property. If you are eligible to vote for the first time, or if you're not already on the electoral register, you will also need to complete an application at gov.uk/register-to-vote. You will need to provide your national insurance number in order complete the application.
Alternatively you can wait for a paper application which we'll send out to you once we receive your response to the canvass mailing.
Who is eligible to register to vote?
You can register to vote if you are:
• Resident (usually live) in England and aged 16 or over (but you will not be able to vote until you are aged 18).
You must also be either:
• A British citizen or Irish citizen
• A Commonwealth citizen (including Maltese and Cypriot) who has permission to enter or stay in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man, or who does not need permission
• A European Union (EU) citizen of Denmark, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, or Spain who has permission to enter or stay in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man, or who does not need permission (Qualifying EU citizens)
• A European Union (EU) citizen of any other EU country who on or before 31 December 2020 had permission to enter or stay in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man, or who did not need permission, and this has continued without a break (EU citizens with retained rights)
The EU citizens described above can vote in local elections and Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner elections.
EU citizens’ voting and candidacy changes
Due to the changes implemented by the Election Act 2022 only certain EU citizen are entitled to vote in elections such as local elections and police and crime commissioner elections. To retain your right to vote you must now be a qualifying EU citizen or an EU citizen with retained rights.
Currently only citizens from Denmark, Luxemburg, Poland, Portugal, and Spain are classified as Qualifying EU citizens.
Citizens from other EU countries may be entitled to remain on the electoral register and vote in certain elections if they were already resident in the UK before UK left the European Union on 31/12/2020. Such persons are also required to have maintained a lawful immigration status (EU citizen with retained rights).
All EU citizens on the electoral register will therefore need to have their eligibility to be registered reviewed, this will commence in the Autumn. If you receive a communication from us in the autumn, please respond immediately.
The above does not affect citizens from Ireland, Malta, or Cyprus.
For more information
Our phone lines are very busy, if you do need to contact us, the easiest way for you to do this is to email us at canvass@tamworth.gov.uk and our team will respond to your query as soon as possible.