Annual canvass of properties
You can vote in elections and referendums only if your name appears in the Register of Electors.
The revised Register of Electors is published at the beginning of December each year, based on information about those eligible to be registered and currently resident in the Borough. The register is the basis of our democracy, so accuracy is very important.
The information is gathered through the Annual Canvass of Properties. Canvass communications are delivered to every residential property in the Borough during August to confirm the details. Householders can respond in a variety of ways including online, by freephone, SMS, or by completing and returning a Household Enquiry Form.
If you missed the annual canvass and are not on the electoral register, you can still apply to be added to the Register of Electors during the year. Find out how to register to vote register to vote.
About the register of electors
Two versions of the register are published each year, the full version and the edited version.
The full register
This version of the register contains the name and address of every eligible elector in the borough. It is only available for election purposes (including use by candidates and political parties), law enforcement and by credit referencing agencies.
Anyone can inspect the full register at the Town Hall reception during normal office hours. It must be viewed under supervision and only hand-written notes are allowed to be taken. To arrange an appointment with a member of the Electoral Services Team, email elections@brentwood.gov.uk or call 01277 312708.
It is against the law for anyone to use the full electoral register for any purpose not provided for within the Representation of the People Acts.
The open register - Also known as the edited register.
The open register is an extract of the electoral register, but is not used for elections. It can be bought by any person, company or organisation. For example, it is used by businesses and charities to confirm name and address details. The personal data in the register must always be processed in line with data protection legislation.
Your name and address will be included in the open register unless you ask for them to be removed. Removing your details from the open register would not affect your right to vote.
If you want to change your preference, email elections@brentwood.gov.uk, call 01277 312708 or write to Electoral Services at the Town Hall. Each person needs to make their own individual request.
View the verification number for determining the validity of Petitions (PDF) from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025.