Register to Vote
Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council is required to keep the register of eligible voters up to date. Each year, we contact every household to find out whether the details we have are correct and give you the chance to make amendments and additions. This is called the Annual Canvass
Annual Canvass 2022
This year we will begin on 1 August 2022 by sending a message to electors who have provided a mobile telephone number or email address. Click the link to let us know whether the information we have is correct.
Later in the month we will be sending a letter to anyone who has not provided these contact details. Again, only respond if there are changes to be made to the information we hold.
In mid-September we will send a letter to some households where we believe changes may need to be made. This is something that we do need you to reply to, even if it is to let us know that no changes are needed.
If we do not have a response to this letter, we will send out another letter and a form in October.
- If we contact you in August and your details are correct, you do not need to respond.
- If you don’t hear from us until September, it means that we need you to reply even if the information we hold is correct.
Doing this quickly and wherever possible electronically, means that reminders do not have to be sent, someone does not need to visit you to get this information and we will be saving money.
Moving Home
If you move home you will need to register to vote at your new address. Adding your name to the annual canvass form does not automatically entitle you to vote.
Your old registration or postal vote will not move with you.
Changing your name
If your name changes, to update the electoral register you will need to complete and sign a voter change of name form. This cannot be completed online. You will also need to provide a relevant document such as a copy of your marriage certificate, deed poll or amended birth certificate to support the form.
Opting in or out of the open register
There are two registers:
- The full electoral register lists the names and addresses of everyone who is registered to vote and is used for electoral purposes. It is also used for other limited purposes specified in law, such as detecting crime, calling people for jury service and checking credit applications.
- The open register is an extract of the electoral register and is not used for elections. This list can be bought by any person, company or organisation for marketing purposes. 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 does not affect your right to vote.
You must be on the electoral register but can decide to opt out of being listed on the open register.