Don't lose your voice - residents in Stratford-on-Avon urged to check their voter registration details from the District Council

Local residents are being warned not to lose their voice on decisions that affect them by making sure their electoral registration details are up to date.

The annual canvass ensures that Stratford-on-Avon District Council can keep the electoral register up to date, identifying any residents who are not registered to vote so that they can be encouraged to do so.

David Buckland Electoral Registration Officer at Stratford-on-Avon District Council said: "It's important that residents look out for messages from Stratford-on-Avon District Council so we can make sure we have the right details on the electoral register for every address in Stratford-on-Avon. We will send you a letter, email (gov.notify) or a canvass form for you to respond to.

"If you're not currently registered, your name will not appear in the messages we send. If you want to register, the easiest way is online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote, or we'll send you information explaining how to do this in the post."

As we carry out this important work to update the electoral register we continue to follow  public health guidelines, including respecting social distancing.

People who have moved recently are particularly encouraged to look out for the voter registration messages from Stratford-on-Avon District Council and check the details. Research by the Electoral Commission, published in 2019, indicates that recent home movers are far less likely to be registered than those who have lived at the same address for a long time. Across Great Britain, 92% of people who have been at their property for more than sixteen years will be registered, compared to 36% of people who have lived at an address for less than one year.

Melanie Davidson, Head of Support and Improvement at the Electoral Commission, said: "It's really important that everyone who is entitled to vote is able to do so. Checking the messages that you will get from your local authority is the easiest way to see if you're registered to vote. If you're not, make sure you provide the necessary information to your local authority when it is needed and register to vote online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote."

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

Any residents who have any questions can contact their local registration team at Stratford-on-Avon District Council on 01789 260208 or elections@stratford-dc.gov.uk.

1. 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.
   
   
2. 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 limited purposes specified in law, such as detecting crime (e.g. fraud), calling people for jury service or checking credit applications.
   
   
3. 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.
   
   
4. 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.

5. British citizens, Irish citizens and qualifying citizens of Commonwealth countries (including Cyprus and Malta) can vote in local government elections, Mayor of London and London Assembly elections, and Police and Crime Commissioner elections. To date, the UK Government has not made changes to the eligibility of EU citizens, meaning at present they too can vote in these elections.
   
   
6. Full details of the Electoral Commission's research on the electoral registers can be found on its website.