In a change to previous years, all councils, including Tandridge District Council, will be carrying out the annual canvass for the Register of Electors from the beginning of October to the end of January 2014.

A change in the regulations means there will also no longer be a qualifying date for people to be living at the property to qualify to register.

A canvass form will be sent to all households in the district and residents are asked to return this form as soon as possible. If the Council does not get a reply, a reminder will be sent in November and if the form has still not been received by the end of November, a canvasser will visit those households to collect the form.

The information from the canvass will be used to update the Electoral Register, which will be published on 17th February 2014.

Opting out of the edited register

An edited version of the electoral register is available from the Council for sale to any person, company or organisation and can be used for any purpose, including marketing.

Residents can opt out of having their names included on the edited register. To do this they must put a tick in column g on the canvass form before sending it back. Alternatively, if they want to opt out and have no other changes to make, they can confirm their details by using the free automated telephone response service on 0800 470 4907, or the website www.voter-reg.com. If residents do not choose to opt out their name will appear on the edited register.

If residents need to make any changes to their details, these must be made on the form.

Filling in the form

All eligible names must be added or confirmed on the form, but only one member of the household needs to sign or confirm it. The following people need to be included on the canvass form:

▪ Anyone living at an address in the district aged 18 or over.

▪ British, Irish, European Union or qualifying Commonwealth citizens.

▪ Anyone who is 16 or 17 years old, so they are eligible to vote as soon as they reach 18.

By law a response must be made each year, even if there are no changes. If there is not a response or false information is provided, the householder may be liable to a fine of £1,000.

Councillor Martin Fisher, Chairman of the Resources Committee, said: "Please don't assume because you were registered last year your name will be automatically included in this year's Register of Electors. The Register of Electors is often used to confirm an individual's address, especially if they are applying for credit such as a mortgage, personal loan or even a mobile telephone. If you are not registered you could be refused credit, as well as losing your right to vote at any elections. Don't forget being on the Council Tax Register does not automatically mean you are on the Register of Electors. The two contain completely different information."

For more information about the canvass visit www.tandridge.gov.uk, call Electoral Services on 01883 732716, or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

An automated 24 hour telephone election information service is also available on 0330 1000 666.