The register of electors or electoral roll is updated every year.
Every summer, by law we have to write to every household in Stoke-on-Trent to check who is registered or eligible to be registered to vote. We then update our electoral register, which is published every year on 1 December 2026. This is called the Annual Canvass.
Central Government has reformed the way the Annual Canvass is conducted; every household will receive some form of communication but unlike in previous years you may not have to make a return to the form sent to your property.
What you need to do
We will shortly be commencing our annual canvass for the electoral register. In the next few weeks, a communication will be delivered to every property in Stoke-on-Trent.
Please read your letter carefully and follow the instructions for your household so the electoral register is accurate and up-to-date.
For properties where everyone in the household matched with Central Government records, anyone already registered at the address will be listed on the form and if everything on the letter is correct, you don't have to do anything. That's it, canvass complete.
If things have changed, such as another person coming to live at or someone leaving the property, just follow the instructions on the letter to make the changes.
Where one or more persons did not match the records held with Central Government records, we will require confirmation that the information held on the electoral register is correct. Someone in the household must respond to this letter.
The easiest and safest way is by going online, this only takes a few minutes.
Use this link www.householdresponse.com/stokeontrent with the security codes in your correspondence to make any changes online.
If you are unable to use the online service, you can respond in the following ways:
The telephone and SMS service are for no changes and only allow you to confirm the details printed on the form they have received are correct.
- Telephone Number – 0800 884 0701
- Text Number – 80212
If you have received a Canvass Form, you have the option to complete in pen, sign it and return by post. We are however, discouraging this method as the other methods work out cheaper for the Council.
It is extremely important that if your letter asks you to respond, that you do it as quickly as possible. This means:
- It will save money for your council by us not having to print and send required reminders
- We will not have to send out a canvasser (which legislation requires to do for non-responders) to your property)
During the canvass period, we will:
- Deliver canvass communications to all properties in Stoke-on-Trent
- Deliver a reminder to properties who have not responded where a response is required followed by a visit from a canvasser who will ask you to complete the form.
If you still don’t respond, you risk being removed from the register. If you are not registered, you cannot vote and your credit score will be affected.
It is a legal requirement to provide the information requested; if you don’t you could be fined £1,000.
If you need to register to vote at a new address, please visit www.gov.uk/registertovote.
If you have any queries, you can email us at elections@stoke.gov.uk or phone our helpline on 01782 233800.