Annual canvass

Each year, we check who lives at every address in the borough. This is called the annual canvass. It happens from late August to the end of November. 

We do this to: 

• make sure the right people can vote
• ask new people to sign up
• remove people who have moved

Being on the list means you can vote. It can also help your credit score.

Updates to the register during the canvass will take place from 1 December when the revised register of electors is published.

Updating your household details

We will send a letter to every home at the end of August. The letter tells you what to do.

The letter will be sent to ‘the occupier’. This is because the people we have on our list might not live there anymore.

The people who live in the home must fill in the form. Please reply as soon as you can. This helps us keep your voting details correct.

If you do not reply, we will send you a reminder. We might also visit your home to check the details.

How to reply to the letter

This is not the same as registering to vote. You must reply even if you are already on the voting list.

You can reply in one of 3 ways:

• online – this is the fastest and easiest way; you will need the 2 security codes on your household letter
• by phone – call the free number on your letter
• by post – freepost

If you need help reading the letter or filling in the form, call us on 020 8825 7777.

Adding new names

If someone new lives in your home, you must add their name to the form.

They will not be added to the voting list until they register to vote at your address.

We will send each new person a form by email or post. They can also register online on the GOV.UK website.

Who can register to vote

You can register to vote if you:

• are 16 or older
• live at the address
• are a British or Irish citizen
• are a Commonwealth citizen (this includes Malta and Cyprus) and you are allowed to live in the UK (a full list of Commonwealth nationalities can be found on the Electoral Commission website)
• are from Denmark, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal or Spain and you are allowed to live in the UK
• are from another EU country and you were allowed to live in the UK on or before 31 December 2020, and you have stayed here since then (a full list of European nationalities can be found of the Electoral Commission website)

If you are not allowed to register, you still need to tell us. If you do not, we will keep asking you.

Students

Students can register at both their home and term-time address but can only vote once in the same election.

Second homeowners

If you have two homes and spend the same amount of time at both, you might be able to sign up at both places but can only vote once in the same election. Ask the electoral services office to help you.

Do not include:

• children under 16
• people who are not British, Irish, EU, or Commonwealth citizens
• visitors who are only staying for a short time
• property owners who do not live at the address

If you have moved home

If you no longer live at the address, your name can be removed:

• online – use the 2 security codes on your household letter
• by post – fill in the paper form and send it back

If someone has moved out and is still on the register, email elections@ealing.gov.uk so we can update their details.

If your name has changed

To update your name on the voting list, you need to register again or send us proof. This could be a copy of a:

• marriage certificate
• deed poll certificate
• passport or photo driving licence

Email a copy of your proof, your old name, your full address, and your new name to elections@ealing.gov.uk or you can post a copy to Electoral Services, Greenford Hall, Ruislip Road, Greenford, UB6 9QN.

Please do not send original documents.

Home visits

If you do not reply to the letter or form, we may visit your home to check the details in person.