Annual Canvass
The Register of Electors is updated each year during the Annual
Canvass period which runs from September through to November.
During this time, every household in the Borough will receive a
Voter Registration Form, which by law must be completed
whether the elector wishes to vote or not at the time of an
election.
No changes to the form?
If the details shown on the form are correct, you can let us
know by:
- Telephone: call 0800 197 4046 quoting the
security codes as printed on the Registration Form, or
- Internet : log on to www.registerbyinternet.com/ashford
quoting the security codes as printed on the Registration
Form.
Please note: The Internet and Telephone lines will be open
for a fixed period when the Annual Canvass begins. Please
refer to your voter registration form for the opening and closing
dates.
Changes to the form?
If your name is not shown on the form, please make any necessary
alterations by crossing out the names of anyone who no longer lives
at the property and entering the correct details. If you make
any changes to the pre-printed details on the form, you will need
to return the amended form by post, The return address is
printed on the reverse of the form.
Whom to include on the form
You should include everyone living at your address on the 15
October, who is, or will be, eligible to vote, but you do not have
to wait until then to fill it in.
You must include:
- 16/17 year olds. They can vote as soon as they are
18. Please write their name in Part 1 and include their date
of birth and nationality.
- Those aged 18 and over and who are British, Irish, Commonwealth
or European Union Citizens (find out if your nationality
qualifies).
- Anyone who normally lives in your household but is temporarily
away (e.g. on holiday, a student, in hospital)
- Any other residents, lodgers or guests (but not short stay
visitors)
You should not include:
- Anyone under 16
- Convicted people in prison as at 15 October
- Service Electors(Armed Forces) or Overseas Electors
- Anyone who is not a British, Irish, Commonwealth or European
Citizen
Already registered?
There are regulations regarding the removal of names from the
Register, and to ensure continuous registration, you must reply
every year. If you do not respond, your name may be removed
from the Register and you may be liable to prosecution with a
maximum fine of £1000.
Credit Checks
The Register of Electors is used for checking applications for
credit such as a mortgage, bank loan or mobile telephone. If
you are not registered, you may be refused credit as well as losing
your right to vote.
Council Tax
Even if you pay Council Tax this does not mean you are
automatically included in the Register of Electors. You must
fill in a Voter Registration Form.
Full and Edited Register
There are two versions of the Register of Electors. The
names of people added to the Voter Registration Form will
automatically be added to the full register, if they are eligible
to vote. You can choose not to have your name showing on the
edited register by placing a cross in the column titled 'Edited
Register' opposite the name of anyone who does not wish to
appear.
Want to vote by post?
Anyone on the Register of Electors can vote by post. To
apply for a postal vote please contact Electoral
Services for an application form. If 'postal' or
'proxy' appears in the column titled 'Postal
Vote' then you do not need to apply again unless you wish to
change your postal voting arrangements.
The Register of Electors
The new Register is published by 1st December each year.
If there are any changes to your details after 15th October, you
should contact Electoral Services where a
member of staff will be pleased to help you.
This webpage was updated on
7/27/2011