Look out for canvass emails

As Redditch Borough Council’s annual electoral canvass begins for 2022 residents are being asked to look out for an email version of this year’s canvass letter.

As part of the annual review of the electoral register the borough council will be encouraging residents to check that their information is up to date using the online process in the first instance.

From Friday (June 24) branded emails from Bromsgrove District and Redditch Borough Electoral Shared Services will be sent out to residents for whom the council holds an email address, with instructions as to how to check, confirm and/or change their details online.

The emails will come from bromsgrove.and.redditch.electoral.shared.services@notifications.service.gov.uk.

For anyone who is not on the council’s email database or doesn’t receive the initial email, further correspondence will go out in the traditional way via the post over the next few weeks.

Darren Whitney, Electoral Services Manager for Redditch Borough Council, said: “We want to make sure that residents are aware that this is not a scam email and that this is the quickest and easiest way for people to update their details and means that we do not have to post out a form to them.

“Every year we’re required to conduct a canvass that helps keep the electoral register correct. Many people might not realise that simply replying to it saves real money. When people don’t reply, the council are required to send out reminder letters, and even employ people to knock on doors, which means the cost goes up.

“This year it’s even easier to respond than ever, so check your inboxes, check your details and help us save taxpayers money.”

Residents are reminded to stay alert when it comes to phishing, scam or spam emails. The council will never ask for your bank or other personal details via email. If in doubt, contact our Electoral Services team on 01527 881421.

While you must be on the Electoral Register to be able to vote, the canvass communication is not a registration form to vote. To register to vote, go to www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. Unregistered people are not eligible to vote in any election or referendum.

To find out more about the Electoral Register visit www.redditchbc.gov.uk/elections.