Electoral Registration - West Somerset Council

Annual Canvass - Frequently Asked Questions

Q. When do I need to return it by?
A. 15th October, or sooner if you know the information required.

Q. Do I add my children?
A. No, not unless they are 16 or over and you need to give us their exact date of birth.

Q. I’m a foreign national.
A. Only British, Commonwealth or European Union citizens must complete the form.

Q. I’m renting for 6 months.
A. Fill in the form as at 15th October. Use a Rolling Registration Form from you local authority when you move again.

Q. What is the edited register?
A. There are two versions of the Register of Electors produced, a full version and an edited version. The full version of the Register contains the names of all eligible electors within the District of Hart. Only certain persons and organisations are allowed to have copies of this version of the Register of Electors. They are only permitted by law to use it for specified purposes, including electoral purposes, the prevention and the detection of crime and checking your identity when you have applied for credit. It is a criminal offence for them to pass information from the Register of Electors on to an unauthorised party or to use it for any other purpose.

The edited version of the Register of Electors leaves out the names and addresses of electors who have asked for them to be excluded from this version of the Register, and it may be purchased by anyone for any purpose, including direct marketing.

Q. I’m moving house before the 15th October, what do I do?
A. If you are moving before this date and your property will be empty please complete Part B and send the form back. Otherwise leave the form for whoever will be living at the address on the 15th October.

Q. I’m moving abroad, what should I do?
A. You need to complete an Overseas Voter Registration Form, these and further advice are available from the Electoral Commission web site. www.aboutmyvote.co.uk

Q. I was a postal voter, how can this be removed?
A. Clearly cross out the postal vote “tab” on form ask the elector to sign the amendments and return it to us.

Q. I only want a temporary postal vote?
A. You can request a Postal Vote Form and this will let you record how long you want a postal vote for.

Q. Do I add my lodger?
A. Yes, if they are eligible to vote, remember to ask them if they wish to be excluded from the Edited Register.

Q. How does this affect my Council Tax?
A. The Electoral Register has no connection with the Council Tax registration.

Q. Is this the same as the Census?
A. No. The census takes place ever 10 years and is managed by the ONS (Office of National Statistics)

Q. I don’t wish to vote?
A. The law requires that you register to vote, even if you choose at Election time not to exercise your right to vote.

Q. If I do not return the form will it affect my credit rating?
A. Yes, the information we hold is sent to the main credit reference agencies within the UK, so if you do not respond to this request you will have difficulty when applying for credit.