Southend-on-Sea residents are being asked to keep an eye out for their annual household canvass communication and to respond promptly if asked to do so.
The annual canvass plays an important role in maintaining an accurate and up-to-date electoral register. It also helps identify eligible residents who are not yet registered to vote and encourages them to register.
Electoral Services are contacting households by email, form or letter, asking residents to confirm that the information held on the electoral register is correct. Official canvass emails will be sent from Electoral@southend.gov.uk.
Colin Ansell, Chief Executive of Southend-on-Sea City Council, said: "To vote in any election, residents must be registered on the electoral roll, and the household canvass plays an important part in making sure our records are accurate and up to date.
"When you receive your email, form or letter, please read the instructions carefully and if required to respond, please do so as soon as possible. It only takes a few minutes and helps ensure you can have your say in future elections.
"Anyone who has recently moved home should pay particular attention to these communications and check whether they are registered at their current address.
"We know residents are rightly vigilant about scams and fraudulent emails and we want to reassure people that communications from our electoral services team as part of the household canvass are genuine."
Residents can respond online, by text message or by telephone. Full details of how to respond will be included in the canvass communication.
Emails relating to the household canvass will be sent from Electoral@southend.gov.uk and residents who are unsure whether a communication is genuine are encouraged to contact the electoral services team directly using the contact details below.
Anyone with questions can contact the electoral services team on 01702 215010 or visit our household canvas pages.
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. 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 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.
You can register to vote if you are:
Resident (usually live) in England and aged 16 or over (but you will not be able to vote until you are aged 18). You must also be either:
- a British citizen or Irish citizen
- a Commonwealth citizen (including Maltese and Cypriot) who has permission to enter or stay in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man, or who does not need permission
- a European Union (EU) citizen of Denmark, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, or Spain who has permission to enter or stay in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man, or who does not need permission
- a European Union (EU) citizen of any other EU country who on or before 31 December 2020 had permission to enter or stay in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man, or who did not need permission, and this has continued without a break
- the EU citizens described above can vote in local elections and Police and Crime Commissioner elections, and Mayor of London and London Assembly elections only