Don't lose your vote– fill in your electoral register form
Mid Beds District Council have just started its annual canvas, when local authorities in Great Britain deliver electoral registration forms to all household in their area. The annual canvass form lists all the people currently on the electoral register for that address and householders just have to simply add anyone who should be registered and isn’t on the list and cross out anyone who no longer lives at the address. The form should be signed and returned to the council as soon as possible.
Stephen Cooke, Electoral Registration Manager said: “If you aren’t on the electoral roll, you can’t vote, it’s as simple as that. But its just as simple to complete and return the form so it shouldn’t take people more than a few minutes to check the who’s registered at their property and return it to us in its pre-paid envelope.
“Registering to vote is very simple. Either fill in the form that will have come through your door or contact us at the council if you haven’t received one. Alternatively you can visit www.aboutmyvote.co.uk to get all you need – a downloadable registration form and our contact details. Once you’ve filled in the form, make sure you send it to us as soon as possible to secure your vote.
“If you don’t send the form back within the next few weeks our staff will be calling on you to ask for the forms – so to make it easy for everyone please return it as soon as possible.”
Andrew Scallan, Director of Electoral Administration at the Electoral Commission, added:
“Registering to vote is quick and easy. It is the only way of making sure you have a vote at election time – you aren’t automatically registered if you pay council tax for instance or if you have registered previously. The Commission would like to urge the people of Mid Beds to spare a few minutes this Autumn to secure their vote.”
ENDS
For further information contact:
Mark Hustwitt, Communications Manager on 01462 611014 (office), 07967474285 (mobile), or e-mail mark.hustwitt@midbeds.gov.uk
Catherine Ruvolo, Communications Officer on 01462 611006 (office) 07967 474311 (mobile) or e-mail Catherine.ruvolo@midbeds.gov.uk
Notes to editors
1. The Annual Canvass runs from August to 15 October. Electors can register at any time, by contacting their Electoral Registration office for a registration form or downloading one from www.aboutmyvote.co.uk and returning it to the Electoral Registration Officer. The law was changed last year so that you can register closer to an election – registration closes 11 working days prior to polling day.
2. The Electoral Commission is an independent body set up by the UK Parliament. Its aim is to ensure integrity and public confidence in the UK’s democratic process. It regulates party and election finance and sets standards for well-run elections.
