Households across B&NES will have received a form this week, asking residents to check that the information that appears on the electoral register about those living at their address.
This is part of Bath & North East Somerset Council’s annual voter registration canvass.
The aim is to ensure that the electoral register is up-to-date and identify and encourage any residents who are not registered to do so.
With Police and Crime Commissioner elections taking place across the Avon & Somerset Police Area in May 2016, this is an opportunity for residents to make sure that they are registered to vote.
Dr Jo Farrar, Electoral Registration Officer at Bath & North East Somerset Council, said: “Anyone who wants to vote must be registered.
“To make sure you have your say at the elections next year, simply check the form when it arrives and respond as soon as possible.
“If you’re not currently registered, we’ll send you information explaining how to do this or you can apply online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.”
It’s particularly important that anyone who has moved address recently looks out for the form and checks whether they are registered.
Research by the independent Electoral Commission indicates that across Great Britain recent home movers are far less likely to be registered than those that have lived at the same address for a long time.
The research showed that 94% of people who have been at their property for more than 16 years will be registered compared to 40% of people who have lived at an address for less than one year.
The same research indicates that whilst almost 95% of outright home owners are registered, this is the case for only 63% of private renters.
Kay Jenkins, Head of English regions at the Electoral Commission, said: “The annual canvass is an opportunity for people to easily check whether they’re registered.
“It’s essential for a healthy democracy that everyone who is entitled to vote is able to, and for those who need to, registering is now easier than ever with the online system of registration.
“If you have changed address in the last year, it’s particularly likely that you will need to register at your new address, so check the form as soon as it arrives.”
Any residents who have questions can contact Electoral Services either by phone on 01225 477333 or email [email protected]
