Annual electoral canvass

Every year we undertake a canvass of all households to ensure that the information on the electoral register is up to date. 

There is a legal requirement for all residents to confirm details relating to their property, so you must read any letters or emails we send you carefully.

When is the annual canvass? 

The 2025 annual canvass will take place from July to November 2025.

What is the purpose of the annual canvass?

The aim of the annual canvass is to ensure that the electoral register is up to date and to identify any residents who are not registered to vote, so that they can be encouraged to do so. 

The annual canvass allows residents to inform our Electoral Services team about:

• People who live at a property and should be registered to vote
• People who are no longer living at a property
• New residents at an address
• People who will become 18 in the following year
• Any corrections or changes to residents' details

It is particularly important that anyone who has moved address recently looks out for the form, or email, and checks whether they are registered.

How will you contact me about the annual canvass? 

We will contact all properties in the Wokingham Borough, either by posting a form or by email. The form will be addressed to 'The Resident' but anyone in the household can respond.

How do I know the email I have received is not a scam? 

Canvass correspondence sent from Wokingham Borough Council by email will be sent from the wokingham.borough.council.electoral.services@notifications.service.gov.uk email address and will contain our official branding.

I have received my canvass email, what do I do now?

Whether there are changes to be made or not, please ensure you follow the instructions in the email and respond.

I have received my canvass letter, what do I do now?

If we send you a letter by post, you should read it carefully. The letter will tell you whether you need to respond or not. If you need to respond, please use one of the methods offered in the letter. Please include your email address in the update to help us reduce the environmental and financial cost of printing your canvass forms each year.

How do I respond to the annual canvass?

The easiest way to respond is on the Household Response website. You will need to use the security codes that we have sent to you by email or letter to respond online. You can also call us on 0118 974 6000 or contact us by email at electoralservices@wokingham.gov.uk.

Does responding to the annual canvass automatically register me to vote? 

No. Any new electors must also register to vote on the Gov.uk website.

Why should I register to vote?

If you are not registered, you will not be able to vote in future elections. The electoral register is also used to confirm an individual's address, especially if they are applying for credit such as a mortgage, personal loan or even a mobile phone. Not registering to vote may affect your credit rating.

I recently received a letter or email asking me to renew my postal vote. Do I still need to respond to the canvass?

Even if you have reapplied for your postal vote, you must still respond to the canvass if requested.

My canvass form said my postal vote is expiring. What do I need to do to keep voting by post?

You will need to make a new application for a postal vote. You can do this on the Gov.uk website. More information about renewing your postal vote can be found on our Renewing existing postal vote applications page.

My canvass letter says I need to renew my postal vote, however I have already done this

Due to the scale of the annual canvass, we upload our data to our print supplier in advance of the canvass forms being printed and posted. It is therefore possible that you have renewed your postal vote since this data was provided, and the information on your canvass form is outdated. You will receive a letter confirming the allowance of your postal vote 1-2 weeks after it has been approved, however if you wish to confirm that your postal vote has been renewed please contact the Electoral Services team at electoralservices@wokingham.gov.uk, confirming your name and address in your email.

What happens if I do not respond to your emails or letters?

Households that do not respond, but are required to do so, may be contacted in person by our canvassing team. Our canvass staff will have Wokingham Borough Council identification to prove that they are legitimate. During a visit our canvassing team will ask you a series of questions which will enable us to update your household information. However, if you wish, you will be advised that you can complete the Canvass Form that we sent to your household and return it by post.

What happens once I complete my canvass form?

Once your household has been updated, any new or additional residents over the age of 16 must register to vote individually.

Responding to the canvass does not mean you are registered to vote.

You are not automatically registered, even if you pay the Council Tax for your home.

To register: 

1. Go to the Register to vote page on the Gov.uk website
2. Fill in your name, address, date of birth and a few other details - you'll also need your National Insurance number, which you can find on your National Insurance card, or in official paperwork such as payslips, or letters about benefits or tax
3. Look out for a confirmation letter from your local electoral registration staff that says you're registered 

If you can’t go online, we'll send you a paper form (an 'Invitation to Register') later in the process.

Who can be included on the register?

You need to be included on the electoral register if you are:

• Aged 18 or over
• A British, Irish, qualifying EU or Commonwealth citizen
• A 16, or 17 year old (you will not be able to vote until you turn 18) 

More information about registration criteria can be found on our Register to vote page.

Frequently asked questions

For more information read our Annual Canvass frequently asked questions (PDF.)