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 2025 when the revised register is published.

How we will contact you

From 21 July will be contacting households in a number of ways so not all residents will receive a communication from us at the same time. Each form of correspondence will explain what you need to do. Please read and follow the instructions carefully.

You may be contacted by;

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

Canvass Email Communications

On 21 July 2025 we will send out approximately 77,000 emails to electors in the borough to confirm the details we hold on the electoral register are correct. If you have provided your email address to us and we have  matched your household details with The Department of Work and Pensions data check, you will receive an email from elections@sthelens.gov.uk. This email will ask you to log on to our household response online service (www.householdresponse.com/sthelens) and confirm the details. Please respond to this email before 13 August 2025.

Canvass Communication B (CCB) Form

On 21 July 2025 we will send out approximately 12,000 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 29 August 2025.

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

Canvass Communication A (CCA) Form

If we have not received a response to the canvass communication email before 13 August 2025, we will confirm the details held on the register by sending a CCA form to your property on 22 August 2025, you only need to reply to this form if there is any change to the information.

Canvass Form 

If we have not received a response to the CCB form before 29 August 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. If you register between August and November you will only be added to the Electoral Register from 1 December. 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.