Annual Canvass

Every year the Crown and Elections Unit, on behalf of the Electoral Registration Officer, must publish a full and updated register of electors which records who is eligible to vote and to serve on a jury.

It is a legal requirement for an eligible individual to ensure that they are registered and that their data is updated whenever there have been any changes in their circumstances.

An individual is eligible to register to vote if they

• have been resident for at least 12 months
• are 16 years of age or older
• are not subject to any legal incapacity to vote

Registration and changes to personal information can be undertaken at any time of the year.

Once registered, there is no legal obligation on the individual to vote, this is an action that they can choose to take, or not.

Being registered to vote can improve an individual’s credit rating, providing a greater chance that an application for a mortgage, loan or mobile phone contract might be accepted.

The Annual Canvass is a period of time, prior to the production of the updated register of electors, where individuals are encouraged to ensure that;

1. They are registered once they are eligible to do so
2. If they have had a change of address or name since having registered that this information is updated so as to be current (as far as is reasonably practicable.)

It is the responsibility of each individual to inform the Electoral Registration Unit of any changes. Physical forms to remind people to do this, will not routinely be sent out.

Updates to the Electoral Register can be submitted through the Online Services platform or emailed to elections@gov.im. If you are unable to complete the online form, a physical form can be provided. For further support or assistance with queries, call the Electoral Registration Unit on +44 1624 685741.

More details about the electoral registration process and eligibility criteria are available.