Don’t lose your voice - residents in Wyre Forest district urged to check their voter registration details
News release issued:
Local residents are being warned not to lose their voice on decisions that affect them. They can do this by making sure their electoral registration details are up to date.
The annual canvass makes sure that Wyre Forest District Council can keep the electoral register up to date. It identifies any residents who are not registered to vote so that they can be encouraged to do so.
Ian Miller, Electoral Registration Officer at Wyre Forest District Council said:
“It’s important that residents look out for messages from Wyre Forest District Council, so we can make sure we have the right details on the electoral register. You may receive a letter but we are also using text messaging and emails.
“If you’re not currently registered, your name will not appear in the messages we send. The easiest way to register is online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. .”
People who have recently moved to the area are far less likely to be registered than those who have lived in their home for a long time. Research by the Electoral Commission, published in 2019, found that only 36% of people who have lived at an address for less than one year were registered. This compares to 92% of people who have been at their property for more than sixteen years.
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 at
www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter
For any questions or help with registering residents can contact electoral@wyreforestdc.gov.uk or call 01562 732929