Residents in Sandwell are being urged to look out for a letter about who in their household is eligible to vote.
Canvassers have started to deliver annual household canvass letters to around one in four Sandwell properties. The letter will state clearly whether a household needs to respond or not. Find out more about the annual canvass.
Shokat Lal, Electoral Registration Officer at Sandwell Council said: “The annual canvass is our way of making sure that the information on the electoral register for every address is accurate and up to date.
“To make sure you don’t lose your say at upcoming elections, simply follow the instructions sent to you if you receive a letter from us.
“If you’re not currently registered, your name will not appear in the messages we send. If you want to register to vote, the easiest way is online”.
People who have moved house recently are particularly encouraged to look out for the voter registration messages from the council and check the details to see if they need to respond.
Residents are also being reminded that another important change has been introduced which means some voters will need to re-apply for their postal vote this year.
Following changes introduced by the Elections Act 2022, all postal voters are now required to renew their postal vote every three years.
All voters who applied to vote by post before October 2023 are required to reapply for their postal vote by the end of January 2026.
The council’s elections team has begun contacting all affected electors, either by email or post, with information on how to renew their postal vote.
The quickest and simplest way for electors to make an application is online via the GOV.UK website. Apply for a postal vote.
Alternatively, electors can complete and return the form included in the email or letter that is being sent out to those electors required to make a new postal application.
For more information about elections, the annual canvass and postal votes, go to the elections section of our website, email electoral_services@sandwell.gov.uk or call 0121 569 3244.