Annual Canvass 2024

The annual canvass to update the Electoral Register 

The Electoral Services Team is currently preparing the new Register of Electors , which will be used from 3 February 2025 to 30 November 2025.

From Friday 30 August, we will be sending letters to homes across the city to help us to identify all those entitled to register to vote. The letter lists all the people living at the property that we currently have on the register of electors.

Please carefully check the printed details and instructions on who needs to respond. If you are required to respond, you should do this immediately.

We encourage you to respond online at www.householdresponse.com/sunderland , where you will be able to:

• amend a name
• add the names and nationality of any new occupants
• remove the names of those who no longer live at the address
• confirm there are no changes needed
• ask for a postal vote application form
• make changes to the open register

The form includes the web address and security codes needed to respond.  Details of any other ways to respond will be printed on the letter and form.

Responding to the letter does not automatically register new occupiers to vote.  

If you do not respond to the letter where required, the Electoral Registration Officer is required by law to follow it up with reminders.

How the annual canvass works

Data from the electoral register is sent securely to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to be matched with their records.

The results of the data matching will determine how you are contacted. There are two possible routes:

• Route 1 - If all the people registered to vote at the property can be matched.
• Route 2 - If there are people at the property that cannot be matched.

Route 1 - Canvass Communication A

Properties where all the names exactly match will receive an A4 sized Canvass Communication A letter.

• If all the details of the names of all the people resident are correct, you do not need to respond. We recommend retaining the letter for future reference.
• If something is incorrect, you are legally required to respond. Make any changes now, as properties receiving this will not receive a reminder. If any names of residents (except children under the age of 16) are incorrect or missing or if someone is listed but has moved out, go to www.householdresponse.com/sunderland to make the necessary changes. You will need to enter your postcode and the two security codes on the front of the letter.

Route 2 - Canvass Form

Properties where names do not exactly match with government records or by local data matching records, will receive a A3 sized canvass form.

• You are legally required to respond, even if there are no changes to make.  If any names of residents (except children under the age of 16) are incorrect or missing or if someone is listed but has moved out, go to www.householdresponse.com/sunderland to make the necessary changes. You will need to enter your postcode and the two security codes on the front of the letter.
• If there are no changes to make, you can respond using an automated telephone system, text message or online. Details of how to do this are on the form.

How to register to vote

Register online

• Go to www.gov.uk/register-to-vote
• Fill in your name, address, date of birth and a few other details. You'll also need your national insurance number, which can be found on your national insurance card, or in official paperwork such as payslips, or letters about benefits or tax credits.
• Look out for a confirmation to say you're registered.

If you need assistance contact our City and Neighbourhood team . We can complete your application over the phone.