Election canvass letters sent out to residents

PR2288/HJR/MF - 27/07/2020

Mid Sussex District Council has written to local residents to ask them to confirm their details on the 2020-21 electoral register.

Each year, everyone in the UK must confirm their electoral registration details are up-to-date by responding to the annual electoral canvass. This information is then used to ensure the electoral register is accurate.

This year, the annual electoral canvass has changed. Under the new system, data held on the Electoral Register for each household is matched against the information on the Department of Work and Pensions database to check data is correct before households are contacted. Depending on the result of the match, properties are contacted in a variety of different ways.

As a result, some residents will shortly receive a form in the post with information about how to confirm their details on the electoral register. If required to respond, people are encouraged to do so by telephone, text message or online because this is by far the quickest and most convenient method.

By using digital channels, all information is processed instantly and effectively, there’s no chance of the form being lost in the post and it’s environmentally friendly. It also provides taxpayers with savings when compared with the cost of posting back the form.

Tom Clark, Returning Officer for Mid Sussex said:

“Elections can be called at short notice so it’s vital that everyone responds to this canvass and makes sure that their details are correct on the electoral register.

“We want to help the residents of Mid Sussex to have their say and maintain their democratic rights. Logging details with another council department does not automatically entitle you to vote because details must be entered onto the Electoral Register separately.

“Registering to vote only takes a few minutes. Make sure you don’t miss your opportunity to vote by responding promptly when contacted.”

For more information about the electoral canvass visit www.midsussex.gov.uk/elections-voting/annual-canvass/registering. To contact the Mid Sussex District Council Electoral Services team email elections@midsussex.gov.uk or call 01444 477003.

ENDS