Canvass forms are used to gather information about who lives in each household and their eligibility to vote. The second stage is to gather personal sensitive information from people who have not completed their individual elector registration form.
We are looking for people to work on the Annual Canvass in the Bishop Stortford areas from Wednesday, 16 October to Sunday, 20 November.
You will need to work unsociable hours during evening and weekends, be physically fit, have good communications and organisation skills. You will visit households with the designated area, contact individuals concerned and plan routes accordingly. Full training will be given beforehand.
The job description below gives you more information about the role, including details about pay. If you think this is something for you, please email us to register your interest at canvass@eastherts.gov.uk
Evening canvasser: job description
Your role
As a canvasser, you will be required to have:
• The availability to work unsociable hours during evenings and weekends
• Good mobility and the physical ability to carry equipment and climb stairs
• Good written and oral communication skills
• The ability to work independently, keep deadlines and organise your own workload
• Excellent attention to detail
• The ability to ensure that confidentiality is maintained at all times
• Ensure all electors are treated with impartially and respect
• Some knowledge of the local area
• Must be over 18 years of age
• A driving licence and access to your own vehicle with business insurance would be desirable
During canvassing you will:
• Visit assigned households within a designated area, at least twice (once for rural rounds), to obtain responses to canvass form(s)
• Where no contact is made, leave additional form(s)
• Advise electors on the completion of the form
• Confirm if a property is vacant with supporting evidence
• Plan routes accordingly
• Collect forms and other materials on time from Wallfields Office
• Wear a photo ID badge at all times whilst canvassing
• Return completed forms to the council offices on a weekly basis
After canvassing
• Return all materials and equipment provided, including ID badge
• Respond to any requests for extra information from the Electoral Registration Officer
Canvass timetable 2024
• Training session at East Herts Council’s offices in Hertford: 16 October 2024
• Stage 1 Household Enquiry Forms round: 16 October - 8 November 2024
• Stage 2 – Invitation to Register round: 8 November – 20 November 2024
Things to consider before you apply:
• Canvassing involves making personal visits to all kinds of different properties with East Herts District.
• You will be speaking to the occupants of the properties you visit and asking them to complete canvass forms and voter registration forms with you on their doorsteps
• You will be completing two different types of registration forms:
o Household Enquiry Form (HEF) and/or
o Invitation to Register (ITR)
• You will need to do a substantial amount of walking (whether that be between properties or up and down flights of stairs in blocks of flats)
• Some flats are only often accessible in the morning via the trades button
• Because of the time of year that you will be making visits, bear in mind there might be adverse weather conditions
• You may visit properties where the occupants are unwilling to work with you. It is possible that some of the conversations you have with these people will be challenging
• Canvassers may be offered a canvass round anywhere in the district, we try to allocate according to specific requests.
• This role is a temporary/seasonal one. The council’s terms of recruitment, selection and employment do not apply to this post
Pay Rates
Canvassers will be paid:
• £40 – training
• £60 – taking round and sorting forms
• £2.50 – per completed form
• £0.50p – per uncompleted form
• £0.45p per mile for mileage within the East Herts District (HMRC standard rate)
