Annual electoral canvass

We will be contacting households from 23 August. Households will be contacted in phases, so not all addresses will receive something from us at the same time.

If we receive a new name who is eligible to vote, they will be sent an invitation to register by post or email. They will not be added to the electoral register until they have applied to vote. You do not need to wait for an invitation - if you are eligible, find out how to register at Gov.uk: register to vote.

What to do when we contact you

How we contact you will depend on the details we currently hold for your household.

If we contact you by email

If we have an email address for anyone registered in your household, we are using emails to reduce the cost of checking your information. The email will come from Gov.uk Notify on our behalf and the email address will be electoral.services.durham.county.council@notifications.service.gov.uk.

To fill in the form, go to www.householdresponse.com/dcc and entering your two part security code from the email you have received. This website has been accredited by the government for use in the annual canvass.

If you have any questions about how to respond or if you no longer wish to be contacted by email, Contact Electoral Services.

If we contact you by post

A paper form may be delivered to your property. It will be addressed to The Occupier.

To fill in the form, go to www.householdresponse.com/dcc. You will be asked to enter your two part security code from the form.

If you have no changes to make, you can reply by:

• texting NOCHANGE followed by your two part security code. to 80212 (standard charges apply)
• phoning 0800 884 0701 and entering you two part security code when asked

If you cannot use any of these options, complete and post the form back to us in the prepaid envelope.

If we contact you in person

Some households will receive a visit from one of our electoral registration canvassers. The canvasser will bring a paper form with them and can help with filling it in. If no one is at home when the canvasser calls, the form will be posted through your door and you will need to fill it in and return it in the prepaid envelope.

Canvassers can be identified by Durham County Council ID badges and hi-vis jackets, which should be visible at all times.

Filling in the form

If any of the following occurs, please Contact Electoral Services:

• you cannot find the security codes
• the address on the form is wrong
• there is a reason that stops you from filling in the form or registering to vote

Who to include

You should include everyone who is eligible to vote ie is 16 years of age or above, and is a British, Irish, European Union or Commonwealth citizen.

Do not include: anyone under 16 years of age, people who are not British, Irish, European Union or Commonwealth citizens, visitors, landlords who do not live at the address. If someone no longer lives there, you can indicate this on the online form or by crossing out their names on the paper form

• Students: you can register to vote at both your term time and home address but you most not vote twice in the same election.
• Second homeowners: you can register at more than one address, but only if you spend your time equality between the two addresses.
• Moving house: if you have a confirmed move date that is before 6 January 2025, you should respond by deleting (or crossing through) your name before ticking the 'Property Is Empty' option. If you are not sure when you are moving or your confirmed move date is after 6 January 2025, add/confirm your details and register to vote at your new address once you have moved.