2025 Annual Canvass
During Canvass, we are required by law to contact every property in Tameside to check that the details on the Elections Register are up to date.
Depending on whether there may have been changes to a household, properties will receive different kinds of communication from us with different response requirements. It is important that you check the instructions on the letter or email you receive from us to be able to respond correctly.
We strongly encourage electors to respond as soon as they receive a communication from us if a response is required. Please respond online wherever possible using the Household Response website
We may follow up by email, letter, telephone call, or a visit to your property. If we require a response and you do not provide the requested information, you could be fined.
For more information on the Annual Canvass, please visit The Electoral Commission Website.
Responding to Canvass
Please read letters carefully to check if we require a response, as not all properties need to.
You need to respond to Canvass if:
- You have received an email from us (these have now closed)
- You are told to do so by letter
- If you need to make changes/update the information for your property. This includes changes to names, adding and removing residents, and correcting errors.
Only one member of a household needs to respond to Canvass on behalf of the whole household. Once a response has been submitted, another household member will not be able to resubmit a response.
You can also respond to Canvass by:
- Completing the form and posting it back to us
- Calling the response line on 0800 8840701
- Emailing us at elections@tameside.gov.uk
- To confirm that there have been no changes, 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.
Please add the names and details of residents who need to be added to the Elections Register to the form where prompted. The name and nationality of everyone over 16 who lives at the address and is eligible to vote must be recorded.
New residents who have been added to the forms must make a separate application to register to vote outside of the Canvass process. The easiest way to complete their application is on the Gov.uk website
Canvass FAQs
I have received a letter with CCA as a reference and it says I may not need to respond, what do I need to do?
You only need to respond if there are any changes to be made. If the details are correct you do not need to do anything further. If there are any changes to be made please visit our dedicated Household Response website. Household Response website.
Why do you need to know who is 76 or over ? How do I amend if necessary?
A version of the register is shared with the Courts Service who use the register to send out invitations to people to attend Jury Service. The upper age limit for this is 75 and as such we need to ensure this information is recorded. If you are 76 or over and we do not hold this information (please email us at elections@tameside.gov.uk with your full name, address and D.O.B) and we will correct it.
I want to opt out of the open register
You can do this on the household response website. Alternatively you can notify us in writing (please email us on elections@tameside.gov.uk with your full name, address and your request to opt out of the open register / fill in this form to formally request to opt out of the open register).
I’ve added a name on the household response form, but they’ve received another form
Adding a new person to your address via Canvass does not automatically register this person to vote. New residents who have been added to the forms must make a separate application to register to vote outside of the Canvass process. The easiest way to complete their application 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.
A household member is 16 years old. Should they be included?
From the age of 16, a resident can register to vote so that they are automatically added to the register once they turn 18. The name and nationality of everyone over 16 who lives at the address and is eligible to vote must be recorded.
Once they have been added to the Canvass response, they will need to complete an application to register to vote on the Gov.uk website
What will happen if I don’t respond?
If the email or letter requires a response, please respond as soon as possible. Responding early will avoid further communications like letters, calls, or a door-knock visit. 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. It takes just five minutes.
I received a Canvass Email. Is it genuine?
Tameside Council’s initial Annual Canvass emails are to be sent out to electors on 01 September 2025 and directed 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.
No-one at my address is eligible to vote. How should I respond?
It is important to respond to Canvass for your property (if a response is required) to make sure that our records are up to date for your property. If your nationality means that you and/or other residents are not qualified to register to vote, please make sure to advise us of this during your response. No response when one is required will trigger follow up communications.
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