Don’t lose your voice - residents in the Highland area urged to look out for their voter registration details in the post

Published on behalf of the Electoral Registration Officer for Highland and Western Isles

Local residents are being warned not to lose their voice on matters that affect them by completing and returning their annual canvass form to their local Electoral Registration Office as soon as possible.

The form ensures that the Highland Electoral Registration Officer can keep the electoral register up to date and identify any residents who are not registered so that they can be encouraged to do so. This will mean that residents will be able take part in any future elections.

Bill Gillies, Electoral Registration Officer for Highland and Western Isles said:

“It’s important that residents respond as soon as possible, so we can make sure we have the right details on the electoral register for every address in the Highland area. To make sure you are able to have your say at future elections, simply check the form when it arrives and respond as soon as you can”.

“If you’re not currently registered, your name will not appear on the form. If you want to register, the easiest way is online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote, or we’ll send you information in the post explaining how to do this. In any case, you will still need to complete the form and send it back to us.”

People who have moved address recently are particularly encouraged to keep an eye out for the form and check the details. Research by the independent Electoral Commission indicates that recent home movers are far less likely to be registered than those that have lived at the same address for a long time. Across Great Britain, 94% of people who have been at their property for more than sixteen years will be registered, compared to 40% of people who have lived at an address for less than one year.

Andy O’Neill, Head of the Electoral Commission, Scotland said:

"It’s really important that everyone who is entitled to vote is able to do so; checking the form that will arrive through the post is one of the easiest ways to find out if you are already registered. There’s lots of helpful information about registering to vote on our website www.yourvotematters.co.uk”

Any residents who have any questions can contact their local electoral registration team on 0800 393 783 or e-mail ero@highland.gov.uk