The electoral department carries out an annual canvass and this year it is starting in September.
What is the annual canvass?
The annual canvass is a voter registration campaign that we have to carry out by law, so that the electoral register for Flintshire can be checked and updated. We write out to every household in Flintshire asking you to check if the details we hold for the property on the electoral register are correct.
The annual canvass and who can register to vote
The electors we already have on our register will be compared against data held by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). This will help us to find the properties where residents may have changed. This information will also help us to decide what correspondence will be sent to the property.
16 and 17 year olds are able to vote in Senedd elections and local government elections and by-elections. This means that we now have to register 14 and 15 year olds. If you have anyone living at your property that is aged 14 or older, they can now be added to the electoral register so that when they turn 16 they are able to vote at these elections.
All foreign nationals (that are legally living in Wales) are now also able to vote in Senedd elections, local government elections and by-elections. Previously it has only been British, Irish, Commonwealth or EU citizens. This means if you are from a country other than these you can now vote at these elections.
How will we contact you?
Just like in previous years, every household within Flintshire will be contacted. This may be by sending the property a paper form or by contacting individuals using email, text or by a telephone call. If we do not receive a response when we legally need one, we have to try and make contact again. This may be using a different method to the first one.
What do I need to do when I receive the communication from you?
It is important that you read the communication sent by us carefully (whether that is a letter, a form or an email). You need to follow the instructions to make sure that everyone that is living in your property (that is allowed to vote) is registered. If there is information missing then you need to contact us to let us know. If there are any 14 to 17 year olds or other foreign nationals living at your property that are not listed then we need to have their details too. We would appreciate a quick response so that a reminder is not sent out.
How do I confirm or update the information you have for the property?
Please follow the instructions provided in the communication. If a response is needed this will be written in the communication. If possible, please use one of the services below to help save the council money.
Online - to confirm, add, delete or amend details.
Log on to https://www.householdresponse.com/flintshire
Freephone Automated Telephone Service - can only be used to confirm details are correct.
Call 0800 8840701
Text - can only be used to confirm details are correct
Text NOCHANGE followed by your security code to 80212 (if nobody is eligible to vote include a reason after your security code e.g. empty, business, 2nd home, none, other)
You will need the security code (2 parts) included in the communication
IMPORTANT
During your registration there may be a further action you may need to take if you would like to continue voting by post at UK parliamentary and Police and Crime Commissioner elections. Due to changes introduced by the Elections Act 2022 anyone who applied before 31 October 2023 will be required to submit a new application.
If anyone listed is currently marked in the “postal vote:” field as “Expiring - Postal vote reapplication required” they will need to reapply.
The easiest way to reapply for a postal vote is online: www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote.
You will need to provide your date of birth, National Insurance number and signature on your application.
Please reapply for your postal vote now. Don’t wait for the final deadline.If you are unable to complete the application online, you can email register@flintshire.gov.uk for a paper application form.
This change and requirement to reapply does not apply to Senedd and local elections.
What happens once I have responded?
Once we have received the information we will check it against the electoral register. If there are any additions, deletions or amendments this will be updated on the electoral register.
If you have added someone to the property then we will send them an Invitation to Register form in the post or by email which asks them to provide more information, such as date of birth and national insurance number. This is so that we can confirm their identity. See below for more information.
If you tell us someone has moved away, we will send that person a letter so that we have confirmation that they have moved away. This is because we're required to have two pieces of evidence to remove someone from the electoral register.
What if I do not respond?
If you do not respond to the communication or the reminder when you have been asked to, you may get a phone call from our office or a canvasser (an officer from the council) may visit your property to confirm with you in person.
Invitation to Register form
If you have been added to a property we need a response to this form in order to complete your electoral registration. You will not be added to the electoral register until we have received this information. You can also do this on line by visiting https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. You will need your national insurance number and date of birth to complete this process. This is so that your identity can be confirmed against the Department for Work and Pensions records.