Electoral Register Update 2023 (Annual Canvass)

The way we carry out the annual canvass to update the electoral register has changed.

The annual canvass has been subject to reform and the process has now started in Tower Hamlets. It will run until November 2023 with the revised electoral register published on 1 December 2023.

Details of the new process and how to respond are as follows.

Step 1 - Data matching

The electoral register is sent securely to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to be matched with their records.

The results of the data matching will determine how you are contacted.

There are three possible routes:

  • Route 1 - if all the people registered to vote at the property can be matched.
  • Route 2 - if there are people at the property that cannot be matched.
  • Route 3 - care homes, nursing homes, Houses in Multiple Occupation and all other properties where we have established a responsible person to provide the information for us e.g. a Duty Manager.

Step 2 - Communications and updating the register

Route 1 - Data matched

Email address

If we hold an email address for an individual in the household we will send an email to confirm that the details we hold for the property are correct.

If you receive an email please complete the following steps:

  1. visit the Tower Hamlets response website
  2. log in using the security codes provided
  3. confirm that the details we hold for the occupants of the property are correct, or make any changes required.

No email address

If we do not hold an email address for you we will also send a form (CCA) to your household to ensure we get a response. If you have responded already you can ignore this letter.

If you receive a form but do not have any changes there is no need to reply.

However if you need to make any changes please complete the following steps:

  1. visit the Tower Hamlets response website 
  2. log in using the security codes provided
  3. confirm that the details we hold for the occupants of the property are correct, or make any changes required.

If you do not wish to respond online you can post the form to Civica Election Services, London, N811ER using the prepaid envelope supplied.

Route 2 - Partial or no match

We will send a form (CCB or Canvass form) to the property which will either be:

  • blank if nobody is registered at the property
  • contain details of anyone we have listed as registered at the property.

If there are no changes to make you may also respond by phone or SMS (text).

Even if there are no changes you must respond to this form if you receive one.

To respond please complete the following steps:

  1. visit the Tower Hamlets response website 
  2. log in using the security codes provided
  3. confirm that the details we hold for the occupants of the property are correct, or make any changes required.

If you do not wish to respond online you can post the form to Civica Election Services, London, N811ER using the prepaid envelope supplied.

If we do not receive a response from the form we will make further attempts to get a response from you. This may include sending reminder forms or visiting your property*.

*Please note that due to Coronavirus we may not visit your property unless it is safe to do so. Please assist us by making the necessary return.

Route 3 - Care homes, nursing homes and Houses in Multiple Occupation

In the case of the above properties we will contact the established ‘Responsible Person’ for the property to ensure the information is provided.

Please note:

By responding to the above enquiries, new electors are not automatically registered to vote and this is a separate process.

If you add anyone new to your Household Enquiry Form, we will send out a separate registration application to complete. Alternatively you can visit register to vote on the GOV.UK website and apply directly.

This will then be uploaded by the electoral services team and processed.