Don’t lose your vote – residents in Highland and Western Isles urged to check voter registration details

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

Highland and Western Isles residents are being urged to check their electoral registration details or risk losing their chance to vote on decisions that affect them.

The Electoral Registration Officer will be getting in touch with every household to check that the electoral register is up to date, and to identify any residents who should be registered but are currently missing.

Frank Finlayson, Electoral Registration Officer for Highland and Western Isles, said: “Keep an eye out for important updates from the Highland & Western Isles Electoral Registration office. The annual canvass is our way of making sure that the information on the electoral register for every address is accurate and up to date. To make sure you don’t lose your say at upcoming elections, simply follow the instructions sent to you.

“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.”

Electoral Commission research shows that as many as 1 million people in Scotland are missing from the register or incorrectly registered at their current address.

Sarah Mackie, Head of the Electoral Commission in Scotland, said: “It’s really important that everyone who is eligible to vote is able to do so, especially ahead of the Scottish Parliament election next year. We urge people to check for updates from their Electoral Registration Officer on this year’s canvass. You might receive an email, a letter, or a phone call, or someone might knock on your door.

If you are not registered to vote, make sure you provide the necessary information to your Electoral Registration Officer when asked and register to vote online.”

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

Residents with questions about their registration status can contact their local electoral registration office by calling 0800 393 783.