Keeping your details up to date
What is the annual canvass?
Every year, we send a communication by email, text message or post to every property in Cheltenham. The communication will contain the details of those in the household that are registered to vote. You will need to update the information for the household if there are any changes. We will publish the new register of electors by 1 February 2025.
The review is to ensure the register is up to date and if there are any changes, make the necessary amendments. Under Section 23 of the Representation of the People Regulations 2001 it is a legal requirement to provide the information requested and you can be fined up to £1,000 for not doing so.
Communication via email or text
You may receive an email or text (from a no-reply email, subject: Cheltenham Borough Council – Electoral Services) or a text (from CBC ElecReg). You will need to respond to this by following the link and giving your two security codes - which will be detailed in the body of the email or text - and your postcode. Please check the information carefully and amend any information that is not correct. If you don’t respond to this communication a reminder will be sent to you.
Texts and email communications will be sent around 9 September. If we do not hold an email address or mobile number for you, we will hand deliver a form between 8 and 16 October.
Responding to the annual canvass
The email, text or letter will explain what action, if any, you must take. Tinted paper forms require a response. When completing the form online, you will need your security codes and postcode when asked. Where possible you should respond online, but if you have any questions please contact the electoral services team on 01242 264132 or email [email protected].
If you are required to respond, you will have 10 days to do so before a reminder is issued. Households who do not respond to a reminder will receive a phone call from a member of our electoral services team or will be visited by one of our canvassers.
New electors
Please note that adding a person’s name to the form will not automatically add them to the electoral register at the address. When responding online, if you need to add your name as a potential elector you will have the opportunity to register to vote via the portal. When adding a potential elector on the paper form, the individual will also need to register to vote or we will post out registration forms addressed to the individual requesting them to register. Registering to vote will allow you to vote in elections you are entitled to vote in and improve your credit rating.
To be added to the electoral register for the 1 November, you will need to register to vote by 10 October. If you apply to register to vote after the 10 October, you will be added to the electoral register when it is next updated in January 2025.
Information on registering to vote is available on the Electoral Commission website.
The electoral register
The electoral register lists the names and addresses of everyone who is registered to vote in public elections. The register is used for electoral purposes, such as making sure only eligible people can vote and is also used for other limited purposes specified in law such as:
- Detecting crime (such as 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.