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Confirm your details on the electoral register - annual canvass

How does the annual canvass work?

The electoral register lists the names and addresses of everyone who is registered to vote. Each year we contact all households in the borough. We must know who to add or to remove from the register. This process is known as the annual electoral canvass.

The annual electoral canvass will close in December 2024, and we will then prepare the revised electoral register in January 2025.

You will receive either:

  • an email or text message
  • a letter or paper form

You must respond to confirm the details we hold for your household are correct.

If you get an email or text message from us

This means the records we hold for your household match those held at the Department for Works and Pensions. You will be asked to confirm that these details are correct.

We'll send emails or text messages in early September 2024.

Emails will show as coming from:

  • @guildford.gov.uk
  • electoral.services.team@notifications.service.gov.uk

Confirm your details online

If you've been sent an e-mail or text message you can let us know if your details are correct online.

You'll need:

  • two unique security codes (sent to you in the e-mail or text message)
  • your postcode 

Check your household details (opens new window)

If you confirm that your details are correct, or make any necessary amendments online, we will not need to send you a paper canvass form, which will reduce the cost to taxpayers.

If we do not have e-mail or mobile contact details for you, or if you do not wish to respond online, we will send you a paper form at the end of September.

If you add a new person to your household, they'll need to register to vote (opens new window). If they do not register online we'll send them a paper form.

If you get a letter and paper form from us

This means the records we hold for your household do not match those held at the Department for Works and Pensions.

We will send these letters in September 2024. You must respond to the letter even if there are no changes to your household.

The letter will give more information on ways you can respond. The easiest and cheapest way you can respond is online. 

You'll need:

  • two unique security codes (sent to you in the letter)
  • your postcode 

Check your household details (opens new window)

If you do not respond

We'll contact you again. This might be:

  • an email or text message
  • a letter
  • a phone call

If you still do not respond you may get a visit at your home from a canvasser.

More information

If you have any questions, you can contact our electoral services team:

Find out more about the annual canvass (opens new window)

Your personal information

We will only use the information you give us for electoral purposes and as allowed by law. We will process your personal information securely and follow the data protection legislation. We will not give your personal information to anyone else unless we must by law.

View our privacy statement