Residents across Cumberland are being encouraged to make sure their details on the electoral register are correct.
Cumberland Council has started its annual canvass of electors – a process which looks to ensure the details it has on the electoral register are correct. The process also helps identify any residents who are not registered, so that they can be given the opportunity to apply.
Each year the council contacts every household to check whether it has the correct people registered to vote and to ask residents to inform it of any changes.
Residents may therefore start to receive emails or letters over the coming weeks asking them to check who it has on the register and inform it of any changes.
Andrew Seekings, the council’s Electoral Registration Officer, said: “It is vital that your details are up-to-date and correct so if an election is called in your area, you’re ready to vote. It’s also a great opportunity to get onto the electoral register if you’re not already.
“Please look out for the emails or letters that will be sent by our electoral services team and follow the instructions on there.”
If someone is required to respond to the annual canvass and does not do so, the council will make further attempts to contact them by email or post. From October 2025 the council’s team of canvassers will be visiting properties that have not responded in order to obtain the necessary information. Canvassers will carry photographic ID badges issued by the council.
Please note this is separate to the process of some residents needing to reapply for their postal vote which the council began contacting affected voters in the spring. People receiving both communications should follow the instructions for both processes.
More information can be found on the council’s website cumberland.gov.uk, by calling 0300 373 3730 or emailing elections@cumberland.gov.uk .
Anyone who needs to register to vote can do so quickly and easily online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. It is particularly important that those who have recently turned 18 or have moved address are registered at the right property.