Voting in elections

How do I register?

Annual Canvass of Households

The most popular way is to fill in the Canvass Form that gets delivered to every home each year in August. You do not need to ask to receive this form, it is automatically sent to every home in the borough. The form comes with pre-printed details of who is currently listed in the register at that address. If none of details have changed residents simply have to confirm them via telephone on freephone 0800 197 7691, by text (SMS) to 80212 or via the website at www.registerbyinternet.com/pendle .

However, if there are changes, such as adding names, deleting names or amending names, residents have to write the amendments on the form and then sign and return the form in the pre-paid envelope provided.

Applying from December through to August

To apply you can:

• download an electoral registration form
• or ring the Electoral Services office on 01282 661919/661662
• register online
• or email elections@pendle.gov.uk to request a form
• pick up a form from any of the Council Shops in the borough

If your form is completed correctly and no one objects to your name appearing in the register, you will be added to the register at the next monthly update and you will be sent a confirmation of your registration.

When will you add my name?

There are mid-month deadlines laid down by law for the receipt of such an application and these are listed here. For most applications, these mean that you will be added to the register within 6 weeks of our receiving your form.

If you have moved into Pendle and told us your previous address we will also tell the Elections Office of your old council area that you have moved so that your name can be taken off their register.

I'm paying Council Tax - I should be on the register!

It doesn't follow that because you are paying council tax you are also on the register of electors. The two systems are kept separate by law, not least to protect the integrity of the register of electors.

Even so, our council tax section sends out information packs whenever someone contacts them to set up a new account for their new home and that pack includes a voter registration form.

A bank or credit agency has told me I'm not on the register

We have already mentioned that credit refernece agencies are allowed to buy a copy of the full register to use for credit checking. They also buy copies of the monthly updates. If a bank or credit agency has told you that you are not on the register, you should contact us. Firstly we will check the register ourselves and, if needs be, we will send you a voter registration form.

Has your name changed?

You may have changed the name you are know by, by marriage, or deed poll or by reversion to a former name. We can alter the register if you contact us with the information and will write to you confirming when the change has been made.

Has someone moved out of your property?

Someone may hve left your address, or a member of your household may have died. Please contact us by letter, phone or email. We receive regular reports from the Registrar of Births and Deaths of all the deaths that take place within the area and we alter the register on the basis of that information.