We have begun contacting properties in the districts of Babergh and Mid Suffolk to confirm who is registered to vote.

The email will direct you to the 'Register Securely' website for Babergh and Mid Suffolk where you can confirm the electoral register details for your property. The email will provide two security codes that you must provide when signing in, along with your postcode.

If you update or confirm your details by email, you do not need to return any paper annual canvass form you may receive.

Please respond with your household’s electoral register details so we can check who is eligible to vote at this property.

Update or confirm your details online

The majority of households now respond online but if you do not update your details online, we are legally required to send you a paper form. Responding online now is quick and easy; it only takes a few minutes, and it saves paper forms being printed and the council a significant expense on postage.

• Enter your unique security code:
• Security code part 1: <enter number received>
• Security code part 2: <enter number received>

Update your household information and submit.

Please complete the above steps as soon as possible.

Only one elector from the property needs to respond.

Update your household’s electoral register details

You should include the names and nationalities of everyone who lives at this address.

If you add any new people and cannot provide their National Insurance number and date of birth, they will need to complete a separate registration application.

They can register to vote online. We will send each new applicant a form, if they do not apply online.

Frequently asked questions about canvass

What happens if I don’t update or confirm my details online?

If you do not respond a printed paper copy of the canvass form will be sent to your property towards the end of September 2026.

The last date for responses to be accepted is Monday 16 November 2026.

I recently moved house

You may be receiving this email because you are still registered to vote at a previous address.

Entering your current postcode will result in the security codes not working.

If you try your old postcode and security numbers you can login and record that you no longer reside at the property.

What will happen after I complete the canvass communication?

Any new names provided on the form will allow us to send a separate individual registration form to those in your household who are not yet registered.

If any names are crossed out, it will allow us to remove anyone who no longer lives in the property.

I am trying to respond online but the codes don’t work

The codes can only be used once. If you or someone else in the property have already responded, no more responses can be provided.

Please check you are using the correct postcode. If you have recently moved house, this may relate to your previous address.

If you face any difficulties, we can take your response by email elections@baberghmidsuffolk.gov.uk or phone 0300 123 4000 option 7.

Do I put down everyone who lives here?

You need to include the name and nationality of everyone aged 16 or over who is resident and eligible to register to vote.

If there are no eligible residents, you should state why this is the case.

There are people listed on the canvass communication that don’t live here, what do I do?

If anyone listed on the form is not living at your address, their name(s) should be clearly crossed through.

Alternatively, on step 4 of the register securely site there is a remove button to the right of persons listed. If you have removed the wrong person, you can select the undo removal button which will appear where the remove button was. 

I have received a text message from GovUK that refers to Babergh and Mid Suffolk Electoral Services. Is it genuine?

Text messages will be used as a reminder to complete the annual canvass of electors.

If you have received a text reminder, you should already have received a Canvass Communication letter and a reminder email if we hold your email address.

Please reply online or confirm by phone or email who lives at your address.

I have already applied to register; do I need to return the canvass communication I’ve received too?

Yes. The canvass communication is not a registration form but instead provides us with information on who lives in your household.

This means we can invite other residents, including any 16- or 17-year-olds, to register to vote if we need to.

Frequently asked questions about registration

Do I need to re-register each year?

Once you’re registered, you do not need to register again unless your circumstances change, for example, if you change address.

We will contact you every year (usually between June and November) to find out if there have been any changes to who is living at your address (the annual canvass).

You should also inform us if any of your details (such as your name or nationality) change.

I moved house, am I still registered?

No. When you move home you need to register at your new address.

You can do this at https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.

I pay council tax but my credit reference agency says I’m not on the electoral register. Why?

Council tax and Electoral registration are completely separate by law. When you move home, you need to register at your new address.

You can do this at https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.