Don't lose your vote - residents in Stratford-on-Avon District are urged to check voter registration details

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Press Release

Published on 21 July 2022
Archived on 21 August 2022


Stratford-on-Avon District residents are being urged to check their electoral registration details or risk losing their chance to vote on decisions that affect them.

With elections taking place in Stratford-on-Avon District in May 2023, this is an opportunity for residents to make sure they can take part.  

The annual canvass allows the District Council to keep the electoral register up to date, to identify who risks losing their voice at elections, and to encourage them to register before it's too late.

David Buckland Electoral Registration Officer at Stratford-on-Avon District Council said: "Keep an eye out for updates from the District Council. The annual canvass is our way of making sure that the information on the electoral register for every address is accurate. To make sure you don't lose your say at the next election, look out for instructions from us.  

"If you don't hear from the council, you might not be on the register. If you want to register, the easiest way is online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote."

Recent home movers in particular are urged to check their details. Electoral Commission research has found that recent home movers 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.

Melanie Davidson, Head of Support and Improvement at the Electoral Commission, said: "It's really important that everyone who is eligible to vote is able to do so. We urge people to look out 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."

Information on registering to vote is available on the Electoral Commission website.

Residents with questions about their registration status can contact their local council's electoral services team at elections@stratford-dc.gov.uk

 

  1. Elections are taking place in Stratford-on-Avon District in May 2023
  2. The Representation of the People Act 1983 places a duty on electoral registration officers to maintain the electoral register for their area and to conduct an annual canvass of all residential properties.
  3. The electoral register lists the names and addresses of everyone who is registered to vote. The register is used for electoral purposes, such as making sure only eligible people can vote. It is also used for other reasons as specified in law, such as detecting crime (e.g. fraud), calling people for jury service or checking credit applications.
  4. The open register is an extract of the electoral register, but is not used for elections. It can be bought by any person, company or organisation. For example, it is used by businesses and charities to confirm name and address details. Your name and address will be included in the open register unless you ask for them to be removed. Removing your details from the open register does not affect your right to vote.
  5. To be eligible to register to vote a person must be:

    • aged 16 or over (a person may register to vote at 16, but may not vote until they are 18)
    • a British or qualifying Commonwealth citizen who has leave to enter and remain in the UK or does not require such leave.
    • a citizen of the Republic of Ireland or other European Union (EU) member state
  1. British citizens, Irish citizens and qualifying Commonwealth citizens can vote in local elections in England and Northern Ireland, Mayor of London and London Assembly elections, and Police and Crime Commissioner elections.
  2. EU nationals legally resident in the UK may currently register to vote in all elections. The Elections Act 2022 will change the eligibility of some EU citizens to vote. Changes are expected to be in place for local elections in England, Police and Crime Commissioners elections in England and Wales in 2024. Local elections in Northern Ireland and England in May 2023 are expected to be held on the current rules.
  3. The changes in voting rights for EU nationals will not affect voters from Cyprus, Malta and Ireland.
  4. Full details of the Electoral Commission's research on the electoral registers can be found on its website.

Contact details

Stratford-on-Avon District Council
Elizabeth House, Church Street,
Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire,
CV37 6HX
Tel: 01789 267575

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Last updated on 21/07/2022