Annual canvass - check your details

Annual canvass

Each year, by law, we must contact all residential properties in St Helens to conduct an annual canvass to ensure the electoral register is accurate and up to date. The information we receive during the annual canvass is used to update the electoral register by confirming existing residents, inviting unregistered residents to apply to register, and removing the names of voters who no longer live at each address. 

Changes to the register during the canvass period will take effect on 1 December 2026 when the revised register is published.

How we will contact you

From 31 July will be contacting households in a number of ways so not all residents will receive the same communication from us. Each form of correspondence will explain what you need to do. Please read and follow the instructions carefully.

You may be contacted by;

• Letter
• Email from St Helens Council - elections@sthelens.gov.uk
• Telephone or in person by an Electoral Services Canvasser

Canvass Communication A (CCA) Form

From 31 July 2026 we will send out approximately 74,000 CCA forms to households in the borough where we have been able to match the details that we hold on the register with the Department of Work and Pensions, you only need to reply to this form if there is any change to the information.

Canvass Communication B (CCB) Form

From 31 July 2026 we will send out approximately 13,000 CCB forms to households in the borough where we have been unable to match the details that we hold on the register with the Department of Work and Pensions, you must reply to this form even if your household details are correct.

To confirm or update any incorrect details, please log on to our household response online service (www.householdresponse.com/sthelens) and follow the instructions. Please respond before 8 September 2026.

Please make sure you provide the names of any electors that should be registered, including 16/17-year-olds. 

Canvass Form 

If we have not received a response to the CCB form before 8 September 2026 an Electoral Services Canvasser will call to your property to complete a Canvass Form at the doorstep. 

If you would like more information on the annual canvass, please visit the Electoral Commission website.

You can register to vote any time of the year. For updates throughout the rest of the year, please go to our register to vote page.

The canvass form asks anyone living in the property to put their names on the form or online. We will then send you an invitation to register or you can register online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.

You must supply the information asked for. If you do not give your information or you give false information, you may be fined up to £1000.