The Annual Canvass Electoral forms are on the way, but things are a bit different this year! | Latest news

Arun District Council has begun the process of delivering an important form to your home.

In past years you have had to respond to the canvass form, whether your details have changed or not. This year the canvass is slightly different. 

The process has changed, so although each household in Arun will receive a letter during August, not every household will need to respond. It’s really important to read your letter to see if you need to or not.  80% of our households will not need to respond, unless they wish to make changes to the details on the letter. The remaining 20% of our households are required to respond by law. 

It will be clear from your own letter whether you need to respond or not. If you do, the quickest and easiest way to do this is online, and all the information you need is in the letter. Where at all possible, we are asking people to respond online and not by post. We will not be sending out reply paid envelopes with the letters. Responding online not only reduces cost and is better for the environment, but also removes the need for electors to go out to post the letter. For those unable to respond online there are options to enable them to respond by phone and text. All the instructions are in the letter.

Nigel Lynn, Chief Executive at Arun District Council and also Electoral Registration Officer for the district, said: “This year’s canvass is taking place during a very challenging time. We are working hard to ensure that we take account of public health guidelines, including the continued importance of social distancing and staying safe. Responding by the given deadlines will help avoid the need for home visits from canvassers.

“It is also important that you do not register to vote if you have already registered. If your name is on the letter you receive, then you are on the electoral register. If you’re not registered, your name will not appear on the letter. The easiest way to register is online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote  or we can send you information in the post explaining how to do this. You might want to consider applying for a postal vote for next year’s elections if you don’t already have one. Let us know by responding to your canvass letter and we can send you an application form.”

You can find out more information about the annual canvass, and we have some answers to frequently asked questions on our website at www.arun.gov.uk/canvass . This will be updated regularly so we can respond to questions people are asking. 

If you need any more information, please contact our electoral services team on 01903 737616 or email us at canvassresponse@arun.gov.uk . You can also find out more about electoral registration at www.arun.gov.uk/registration.