Contact Us

Address:

Electoral Services Office,

Guildhall, Frankwell Quay, Shrewsbury, Sy3 8HQ.

 
Telephone:
01743  - 281145
 
email:

The Annual Canvass

Householders are sent a Canvass Form each year during September which they should complete and return to the Guildhall, in order that their details may be included on the next published Register of Electors. 

The 2008 Householder Canvass was held between September 2008 and 23rd November inclusive.  The publication date of the 2009 Register of Electors was Monday 24th November 2008.

How is the Canvass undertaken?

Householders are offered three options for making sure that their details are correctly transferred to the 2009 Register of Electors, depending on whether all the pre-printed details on the Registration Form remain correct or whether any changes are required.

Any Changes Required?

Electors must return their Registration Form by post if any changes are required - for example, if they needed to

  • ADD new names to those already printed on the form;
  • DELETE previous names from those already printed on the form;
  • AMEND any names already printed on the form (eg. if you have got married and your surname has changed)

No Changes Necessary?

Electors can use the internet or telephone to register their householder details, provided that they key in their unique security codes which are pre-printed on their form.  The FREEPHONE* and INTERNET options are only open during the Canvass period - namely between the beginning of September and 23rd November 2008. 

*  Please note that standard network charges apply from mobile telephones.

Need to Register after the Publication of the Register?

Once the new Register has been published, householders must then provide individual signatures to have their details amended whilst the 2009 Register is in force.  This is known as "Rolling Registration".  From 1st December 2008, Registration Forms are available from the Electoral Services Office at the Shirehall - Tel. 01743 - 252333 - or via this link:-  www.aboutmyvote.co.uk.  (See the notes on "Rolling Registration" for further information about adding your name to the Register outside the Canvass period.)

 

What if your name has not been included on the Register or needs amending?

The 2009 Register of Electors was published on 24th November 2008 and reflects where householders were living as at the qualification date of 15th October 2008.  Householders should check that their name has been included on the new Register of Electors.  If it has not been included, needs amending, or if you have moved since 15th October, please contact the Electoral Services Office at the Shirehall as soon as possible, so that you can be sent a form for completion and return, to have your details amended or download a form from www.aboutmyvote.co.uk. 

How do I get someone's name removed from the Register?

As the new property occupier, you may find that when you receive your Canvass Form, the previous occupier's name is still included on it.  The new occupier should use that form to let us know of the changes required whilst the Canvass period is in operation.
 
After the Canvass, during the "rolling registration" period, you can ask us to remove the former occupant's details.  Under new legislation, providing we have evidence to show that the previous occupier(s) no longer reside there, the Council can take steps to remove those details.  This involves writing to the former occupier giving them 14 days' notice of our intention to remove their name.  Once the 14 day period has expired, the Electoral Registration Officer has the power to remove their name from the register, and this is then carried out in accordance with the timetable for adding/removing names under "Rolling Registration".

Nominating Candidates and Voting

You will only be able to NOMINATE a candidate at an election, if your name appears on the last Register of Electors to be published before the Notice of Election is published.
 
You will only be able to VOTE at an election, if your application to appear on the Register has been accepted by the eleventh working day before the poll takes place.
 
For example, in the May 2007 Elections, you could have nominated a candidate if your name appeared on the Register published on 1st March 2007 and you would also have been able to vote if your name was included on the Register by 18th April 2007.  
 

Where can I get help with the Canvass Form?

If you have any questions, you could initially refer to the webpage "Annual Canvass - Frequently Asked Questions".  If you can't find the answer that you are looking for, then please contact the Electoral Services Team on 01743 - 281145.