Don’t lose your vote

Residents in the Dorset Council area are being urged to check their voter registration details or risk losing their chance to vote in any forthcoming elections.

Known as the annual canvass, the regular event enables Dorset Council to keep its electoral register up to date, to identify who risks missing the opportunity to vote and to encourage people to register before it’s too late.

Letters started being sent from Dorset Council on Friday 14 August 2026.

Anyone registered to receive electoral correspondence electronically will receive an email from [email protected] on Tuesday 18 August 2026.

Catherine Howe, Electoral Registration Officer at Dorset Council, and Chief Executive of the Council, said:

“Keep a look out for important updates from our Elections Team. The annual canvass is our way of ensuring that the information on the electoral register for every address is accurate and up to date.

“To make sure you don’t lose your say at any upcoming elections or referenda, simply follow the instructions sent to you.

“If you’re not currently registered, your name will not appear in the messages we send.

“The easiest way to register is online".

Moved house recently or taking out a loan?

Recent home movers are urged to check their details. Electoral Commission research has found that people who have recently moved house are less likely to be registered than those who have lived at the same address for a long time.

In Great Britain, 92% of those who have lived in their home for 16 years will be registered, compared with 36% of people who have lived at an address for less than a year.

As well as allowing you to have your say in elections, being registered to vote helps organisations confirm your identity and address when you apply for things like a mortgage, loan or mobile phone contract. Keeping your details up to date on the electoral register can make these checks easier.

Jackie Killeen, Director of Electoral Administration and Regulation, said:

“It’s important that everyone who is eligible to vote is able to do so. We urge people to check for updates from their local council on this year’s canvass. The council may contact residents by post or email.

“If you are not registered to vote, make sure you provide the necessary information to your local council when asked and register to vote online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.”  

Residents in the Dorset Council area with questions about their registration status can contact the council’s electoral services team at [email protected] or telephone 01305 838299.