Buckinghamshire residents are being urged to ensure their electoral registration details are up to date through the annual canvass.

All residents will be contacted during July and August, and will receive an email or a letter from Buckinghamshire Council asking to confirm that the names of people listed as eligible to vote in their household are correct.

Being on the electoral register means that you can have your say and vote in future elections – plus it can also help with your credit rating. All you need to do is to read the email or letter carefully and follow the instructions on how to respond, if necessary. It’s very quick and easy!

If you’re not currently registered, your name will not appear on the messages we send. If you want to register this can be done as part of the canvass (a follow-up step is required).

The easiest way to register is online at: www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

Nick Graham, Buckinghamshire Council’s Returning Officer and Director of Legal & Democratic Services, said:

“We will begin emailing residents from Monday 3 July. Please be assured that emails coming from ‘elections@canvass.buckinghamshire.gov.uk’ with a subject line of ‘Electoral Registration – Response Required’ are legitimate, and not part of a scam, which we know was a concern for some residents last year.

“We strongly encourage residents to respond to their email or letter promptly, and preferably online if possible. This will reduce the amount of printing, postage, and transport usage, all which impact negatively on the environment, which the council is striving to protect as part of the Bucks Climate Challenge.

“Finally, please note that as a result of the Elections Act 2022, voters now need to provide an accepted form of photo identification to be able to vote in person. This includes voting on behalf of someone else as a proxy vote.”

Further information on registering to vote can be found on the election pages of the council’s website.

Any residents who have any questions can contact the council’s Electoral Registration team at elections@buckinghamshire.gov.uk or 01296 798 141.