​Don’t lose your voice - look out for your voter registration details in the post

Residents are being urged to check their annual voter registration form when it arrives shortly in the post.

The form will list the names of everyone at your address who is currently eligible to vote. If the details haven’t changed, you need to confirm this - either by phone, text or online - using the instructions on the form.

If the details have changed, you must fill in the form and return it in the prepaid envelope provided.

The annual canvass ensures that Bury Council 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 – next year, for instance, there will be elections for Bury Council and the Greater Manchester Mayor.

Geoff Little, electoral registration officer for Bury, 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 Bury. To make sure you are able to have your say at 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 (https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote) or we’ll send you information explaining how to do this in the post. 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 who 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 16 years will be registered, compared to 40% of people who have lived at an address for less than one year.

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 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 https://www.yourvotematters.co.uk/”

Residents who have any questions can contact Bury’s electoral registration team on 0161 253 5252.

ENDS

Press release issued: 16 July 2019.