Annual canvass up and running

Our annual check of the electoral register, to make sure it is correct and complete and people are eligible to vote, is underway.

We carry out this process every year in what is known as the annual canvass, and a revised electoral register is published on 1 December.

Over the next two months, all households will be contacted, either by letter or by email if electronic contact details have been provided.

Residents are urged to read this communication carefully to see whether they are required to respond.

We are also in the process of contacting residents whose postal vote is due to expire about the need to reapply.

You can find out more about the annual canvass and postal votes on our website.

The work on this year’s annual canvass comes ahead of local elections in May 2027.

At these elections, residents will be electing the councillors they want to represent them on the new east Kent unitary council, which will come into existence on 1 April 2028.

Between the election in May 2027 and 31 March 2028, those elected councillors will work behind the scenes to set up the new unitary council, including setting its budget for 2028/29 and agreeing how it will operate.

The 39 current city councillors will continue in their roles until Canterbury City Council ceases to exist on 31 March 2028.

Published: 12 August 2026