The Annual Electoral Canvass has commenced

PR2377/HJR/MF - 09/08/2021

Mid Sussex District Council has begun contacting residents by e-mail or text to ask them to confirm their details on the 2021-22 electoral register.

Every year, the Council must complete an electoral canvass to update the electoral register and ensure that any resident who is eligible to vote can do so.

All households in Mid Sussex will be contacted as part of the canvass, with responses used to ensure the register is accurate.

To determine who, how and when households will be contacted, data held on the Electoral Register for each household is matched against information on the Department of Work and Pensions database.

From Monday 9 August, households may receive either an e-mail or text providing information on how to respond to the canvass. Residents are encouraged to follow the instructions the Council has sent in order to have their say at future elections.

Any resident who does not receive an e-mail or text, will be contacted by post at a later date.

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