The annual canvass is designed to obtain the name and address of every person who is eligible to be on the register of electors – the list of those people who may vote at elections and referendums. The register is the basis of UK democracy and the accuracy of the register is extremely important. In Wales you can now register to vote from 14 and vote at 16. Foreign nationals are also able to vote in Welsh elections.
Electors we already have on our register will be compared against data held by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). This will help us to find the properties where residents may have changed. This information will also help us to decide what correspondence will be sent to the property.
16 and 17 year olds are able to vote in Senedd elections and local government elections and by-elections. This means that we now have to register 14 and 15 year olds. If you have anyone living at your property that is aged 14 or older, they can now be added to the electoral register so that when they turn 16 they are able to vote at these elections.
All foreign nationals (that are legally living in Wales) are now also able to vote in Senedd elections, Local Government elections and by-elections. Previously it has only been British, Irish, Commonwealth or EU citizens. This means if you are from a country other than these you can now vote at these elections.
From August we will contact households to check if the details on the electoral register are correct.
You will be contacted by post or email.
Each form of correspondence will explain what you need to do. Read it carefully and follow the instructions.
Canvass Email Communications
Last year we sent around 20,000 canvass communications by email – that’s thousands less canvass communications being printed and posted. It is easier to respond, better for the environment and a more cost effective communication.
Any electors that we hold an email address for will receive an email communication. If you receive an email communication, you must respond. The email will be sent from electoral.services.blaenau.gwent.council@notifications.service.gov.uk
This is an official email account that we use for these communications.
What you need to do
When you receive correspondence from us, then you must respond appropriately and as quickly as possible. It is easier and quicker to respond online. When providing your response, remember to:
- Check that all the details are correct
- Add any missing names that should be on the electoral register. Remember, everyone who lives in Wales and is 14 or over can now register to vote, but you will not be able to vote in local council elections or Senedd elections until you are 16. You will not be able to
vote in UK Parliamentary or Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) elections until you are 18
- Remove the names of people that are no longer residing at the address
- Confirm that everything is correct, even if there are no changes
What happens if you don’t respond when required to?
- Every property is legally required to check that the information on the correspondence is correct and let us know if there are any changes. If you do not, you may get a fine. This is to ensure that the revised electoral register is as complete and up to date as possible when it is published.
- If we do not receive a response from our correspondence, we will make every attempt to get a response from you. This may be by sending reminder forms by post or by email or by a visit from one of our canvassers to your property.
- If you don’t respond, we may remove your name from the electoral register. This means you will no longer be eligible to vote, and your credit score will be affected.
Once we have received the information we will check it against the electoral register. If there are any additions, deletions or amendments this will be updated on the electoral register.
If you have added someone to the property they will be sent an Invitation to Register form or they can register to vote online at . They will need their date of birth and national insurance number to register.
If you tell us someone has moved away, we will send that person a letter so that we have confirmation that they have moved away. This is because we're required to have two pieces of evidence to remove someone from the electoral register.
If you complete your form online, your information will be stored securely. The online registration service has been independently accredited and tested for security. It was developed to meet best practice guidelines for data security.
If your circumstances change after the annual canvass, such as moving home or changing your name, you will need to re-register.
Every person eligible to vote at the property will need to register individually.
The open register
There are two registers. Why?
Using information received from the public, registration officers keep two registers – the electoral register and the open register (also known as the edited register).
The electoral register
The electoral register lists the names and addresses of everyone who is registered to vote in public elections. The register used for electoral purposes, such as making sure only eligible people can vote. It is also used for other limited purposes specified in law, such as:
- detecting crime (e.g. fraud)
- calling people for jury service
- checking credit applications
The open register
The open register is an extract of the electoral register, but is not used for elections. It can be bought by any person, company or organisation. For example, it is used by businesses and charities to confirm name and address details. Your name and address will be included in the open register unless you ask for them to be removed. Removing your details from the open register does not affect your right to vote.
Find out more information about both registers and how they may be used at
.
Contact Information
Electoral Services
Telephone Number: 01495 369706 / 369707
Address: The General Offices, Steelworks Road, Ebbw Vale NP23 6DN
Email Address: electoralservices@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk