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Register of electors

Annual canvass of properties

You can vote in elections and referendums only if your name appears in the Register of Electors.

The revised Register of Electors is published at the beginning of December each year, based on information about those eligible to be registered and currently living in the Borough. The register is the basis of our democracy, so accuracy is very important.

The information is gathered through the Annual Canvass of Properties where communications are being delivered to every residential property in the Borough during August 2022 to confirm the details. Householders will be able to respond in a variety of ways including online, by freephone, SMS, or by completing and returning a Household Enquiry Form.

The Government has introduced changes to the canvass, allowing some details to be confirmed automatically. This means some households may not need to complete a form. Your letter will tell you the circumstances in which you do not need to reply.

To find out more about the Annual Canvass, view the Frequently Asked Questions (PDF).

For more advice about responding to the Annual Canvass, email elections@brentwood.gov.uk or call 01277 312708 or 01277 312500.

Where a response is required by law and remains outstanding, Electoral Services Canvassers will contact households by phone, email or by door knocking to get the information to complete the canvass.

About the register of electors

Two versions of the register are published each year, the full version and the edited version.

The full register

This version of the register contains the name and address of every eligible elector in the borough. It is only available for election purposes (including use by candidates and political parties), law enforcement and by credit referencing agencies.

Anyone can inspect the full register at the Town Hall reception during normal office hours. It must be viewed under supervision and only hand-written notes are allowed to be taken. To arrange an appointment with a member of the Electoral Services Team, email elections@brentwood.gov.uk or call 01277 312708.

It is against the law for anyone to use the full electoral register for any purpose not provided for within the Representation of the People Acts.

The open register - Also known as the edited register.

The open register is an extract of the electoral register, but is not used for elections. It can be bought by any person, company or organisation. For example, it is used by businesses and charities to confirm name and address details. The personal data in the register must always be processed in line with data protection legislation.

Your name and address will be included in the open register unless you ask for them to be removed. Removing your details from the open register would not affect your right to vote.

If you want to change your preference, email elections@brentwood.gov.uk, call 01277 312708 or write to Electoral Services at the Town Hall. Each person needs to make their own individual request.

View the verification number for determining the validity of Petitions (PDF) from 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023.