Your Guide to the 2023 Canvass

The Annual Canvass is required every year by law and is when local authorities check the Electoral Register to make sure that eligible residents are registered to vote. During Canvass this year, properties will receive different kinds of communication depending on if data suggests there have been changes in household occupants.

In 2020 the Annual Canvass changed, making it more efficient, cost-effective, and tailored to the local communities it serves.

This means that the communication you receive from Tameside Council may be different from previous years, so it is important to check the emails/letters we send you and respond as necessary so that you stay registered and able to vote.

We strongly encourage electors to respond as soon as possible if required. We would urge you to respond online.

Responding to the Annual Canvass

We will send Canvass Communications to every residential property in Tameside. The forms and household response site will detail who is currently registered to vote in each household.

Please read the letters carefully to check if we require a response, as not all properties need to.

You only need to respond if:

You have received an email
You are told to do so by letter
If you need to make any changes to the information we hold or add further eligible electors

The easiest way to respond to us is by visiting the Canvass Household Response Service where you will be asked to submit the security codes provided on the letter and to confirm or update your household’s information. Only one elector form each household needs to respond on behalf of the whole household.

You can also reply to this form by:

Completing the form and posting it back to us.
Calling the response line on 0800 197 9871
Emailing us at elections@tameside.gov.uk
If there has been no change, you can text NOCHANGE followed by your security code to 80212. Please note: if you enter your security code incorrectly, we will not be notified that you have responded.

The name and nationality of everyone aged over 16 who lives at the address and is eligible to vote must be recorded where prompted. Anyone listed on the form who is not currently living in the property should have their names clearly crossed through for removal. If there are currently no residents eligible to vote at the property, you should state the reason why this is the case.

New residents who added to the forms will also need to make their own individual application to register to vote. The easiest way to do this is on the Gov.uk website. New electors who have not registered online will be sent an Invitation to Register letter which requires a response. This will ask for their previous address, date of birth, National Insurance number and voting method preference.

If a response is required and we do not receive a response from you, follow-up communications will be made including reminder forms, a telephone call, or a visit to your property. If you do not provide the requested information, you could be fined.

For more information on how the Canvass is conducted, visit The Electoral Commission website.

Canvass Reform FAQs

I have received a Canvass Email. Is it genuine?

Tameside Council’s initial Annual Canvass emails are to be sent out to electors on 29 August 2023 and will direct you to the Household Response Website. Genuine communications will come from the email address: elections@tameside.gov.uk and will contain the relevant links to the dedicated Household Response website. You will be prompted to confirm valid electors within the property & their voting preferences only.

What will happen if I don’t respond?

If the email or form requires we would urge you to do this as soon as possible. By responding early this will avoid further communication such as paper forms, calls, or a door knock visit to collect the information required. If you do not provide the requested information, you could be fined.

I have recently registered with Council Tax. Does this automatically add me to the Electoral Register?

Registering for Council Tax will not automatically register you on the Electoral Register. A separate application must be made to register to vote.

The quickest and easiest way to register to vote is on the Gov.uk website

How are you keeping my data safe?

The information you give us will only be used for electoral purposes and is stored securely according to data protection legislation. Personal information provided to us will not be shared with another organisation unless required or specified in law. For more information, please refer to our Privacy Notice

Didn’t find what you were looking for?

Contact our Elections team on 0161 342 8355 or elections@tameside.gov.uk