What is the Register of Electors?
The Register of Electors is a list of everyone in the district who has successfully applied (and is eligible) to vote. You are only entitled to vote if your name appears on this register. If you have moved during the year you should go to gov.uk/register-to-vote or contact the council you have moved to.
Normally, the revised register is published every year on 1 December.
How do I register to vote?
Everyone is responsible for registering themselves.
You can now register online at gov.uk/register-to-vote - it's easy and only takes a few minutes. You will need to input your date of birth and National Insurance number (which can be found on your National Insurance card, or on official paperwork such as payslips, or letters about benefits or tax credits). This requirement makes the electoral register more secure. Your on-line application is then processed, which can take a day or so. We will let you know if its successful. If we require some further proof of identity, we will let you know.
Why should I register?
If you do not register, you will not be able to vote at any election or referendum. The Register of Electors is also used by credit reference agencies to verify residency of persons applying for credit. Therefore, it could be more difficult to get credit if you are not on the register.
It is an offence not to complete and return the annual household enquiry form, or if you provide inaccurate or false information. The fine may be up to £1,000.
Who can register?
To be eligible for inclusion on the register, you must be:
- over 18, or reach the age of 18 during the period in which the register is in operation (from 1 December each year to 30 November in the following year).
- a British or Commonwealth Citizen, a citizen of the Irish Republic or a citizen of the European Union.
You may be asked to produce evidence to support any information you give.
Citizens of European Union countries resident in the district are entitled to register and vote at local elections (district, county and parish) and referendums. Separate arrangements are made to register members of HM Armed Forces, Crown Servants living abroad, Overseas Electors (British Citizens living abroad), people with no fixed address in the area (who can register by means of a "declaration of local connection"), patients in mental hospitals, and prisoners on remand.
What normally happens?
Each year every household will be contacted either by letter, email (gov.notify) or will receive a telephone call, asking residents to check the information we currently hold is correct, even if you have recently registered to vote, or your house is empty or you have just moved
(see Annual Canvass below for more information)
Do I have to let you know if I move?
Yes, please. You should also let the council you move to know, or you may not be able to vote in their elections. Go to gov.uk/register-to-vote or contact the council you have moved to.
Who has access to my personal details on the 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 full electoral register
This lists the names and addresses of everyone who is registered to vote in the area in public elections. The full register is 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 it is not used for elections. By law, it can be bought by any person, company or organisation. For example, it may be 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 may reduce the amount of junk mail you receive but does not affect your right to vote.
You can find more information about both registers and how they may be used at gov.uk/register-to-vote.
Annual Canvass
Annual Canvass 2023
Every year Stratford-on-Avon District Council Electoral Services are legally required to check the details that we hold for your household for the purpose of publishing an accurate Register of Electors.
Every household will be contacted either by letter, email or will receive a telephone call, asking residents to check the information we currently hold is correct, even if you have recently registered to vote, your house is empty or you have just moved.
All residents who have previously provided the Council with their email address (for registration purposes), will initially receive an email from stratfordonavon.dc.voter.registration@notifications.service.gov.uk. This email is not spam and requires a response. Other people in your household may also receive this email. Only one person in your household needs to respond as the security codes can only be used once. If you do not respond to the email, a paper form will be posted to you.
If we do not hold an email address for anyone in the household or if we are not sure the information we have about your household is correct, you will receive the request through the post.
What do I need to do?
The communication you receive will tell you whether or not you need to respond.
If you need to respond
You must reply in all circumstances where there are changes to be made to the information shown.
If changes are required, the quickest and easiest way to do this is online by following the instructions in the communication you receive. You will need the security codes that are printed on the communication.
If you do not complete the information promptly, we may send out reminders. If you still do not respond to our reminder, we may then telephone you or carry out a personal visit.
The information you provide about the residents of your household is the first step in the voter registration process. Residents who are not registered to vote can do so at register to vote or we will send a registration form for them to complete.
How can I respond?
Whether you have received the email or a communication through the post the quickest and easiest way to respond is:
• Go to www.householdresponse/stratforddc
o Enter your unique security codes from your communication and your postcode
o Check that the information for your property is correct
o Confirm your details, or make any changes, and press 'Confirm'
You can also respond by:
Post: Amend the form or use a separate piece of paper and return in your own envelope if one is not provided to the address below.
Phone: Only if the details shown are correct then you can call 0800 197 9871 and when prompted enter your security codes.
SMS: Only if the details shown are correct then text NOCHANGE followed by your security codes to 80212 (standard charges apply).
I don't have access to the internet?
If you cannot go online, you can visit Elizabeth House, Church Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 6HX (currently open between 10.00am and 2.00pm), or call 01789 260208.
Do I list everyone who lives at the property?
You need to include the name and nationality of everyone aged 16 or over who is resident and eligible to register to vote. If there are no eligible residents, you should state why this is the case. Who is eligible to vote?
My son/daughter is living away at university, should I register them here or at their term time address?
Your son/daughter can register at their home address as well as their university address but must not vote more than once in the same election. This means they can vote in local elections at both addresses as long as they are in different local government areas. They cannot vote at both addresses in a parliamentary election.
Further information can be found at:
Electoral Commission https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/electoral-register
Or Email us at elections@stratford-dc.gov.uk
How can find out if I'm already registered to vote?
The full electoral register is available for inspection at the Council Offices at:
Elizabeth House
Church Street
Stratford-upon-Avon
CV37 6HX
Alternatively, you can call us on 01789 260208.
What if I want to look at the Register of Electors?
If you want to inspect the Register of Electors, the following rules apply:
- The Register is open to public inspection, under supervision.
- Extracts from the Register may be recorded only by making hand-written notes. Photocopying or taking a photo or video is not permitted by law.
- Information taken from the Register must not be used for direct marketing purposes unless the information has been published in the edited version of the register.
Under these regulations, anyone who fails to observe these conditions is committing a criminal offence. The penalty is a fine of up £5,000.
Further Information
For further information, please contact Election Services:
To find out more about electoral registration, visit Your Vote Matters.
