Those living in Rutland are being encouraged to take part in this year’s annual canvass of electors, to ensure they can vote in future elections.
The annual canvass is held from July to December each year and helps the Council to update the Local Register of electors. This year’s canvass has been delayed slightly because of the recent UK Parliamentary Election, but we are still required to conduct it. The Register of Electors is important as it ensures that those who are eligible can vote in elections, if you are not on the Register, it could also affect your ability to access credit. It enables those not registered the opportunity to complete the registration process.
People who have moved house recently are particularly encouraged to watch out for voter registration messages and to check who is registered to vote at their new address. Research by the Electoral Commission 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.
Local councils are required by law to organise and oversee the annual canvass in their area. Depending on the contact information you have provided to the council previously, you will have received an email or letter asking you to take part in the canvass. Around 8,000 canvass emails have now been sent out, with paper canvass forms beginning to follow from this week.
If you have received an email about the canvass it will only be valid if it has come from the following secure email address: rutland.county.council@notifications.service.gov.uk although depending on your computer settings it is possible that if you have not received an email from us previously it could end up in your junk/spam folder – please ensure you check all folders.
Letters will be sent out during August to anyone whose details we need to confirm,.
Residents are asked to follow the instructions contained in their letter or email and respond as soon as possible. Councils are required to make repeated attempts to contact electors who do not provide a response to the canvass, including the use of door-to-door canvassers to gather information.
Further information about registering to vote can be found online at: www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter. If you have any questions about the annual canvass you can contact Rutland County Council’s local registration team by emailing: elections@rutland.gov.uk or calling: 01572 720 954.