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

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

With local elections taking place in Torbay during May 2019, this is an important opportunity for residents to make sure they can take part.

The annual canvass form ensures that Torbay Council can keep the electoral register up-to-date and identify any residents who are not registered and encourage them to do so. By completing the form, residents will be able take part in any future elections.

Electoral Registration Officer at Torbay Council, Caroline Taylor, said: “It is extremely 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 Torbay. To make sure you are able to have your say at elections taking place next year, simply check the form when it arrives and respond as soon as you can.

“If you are 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 will send you information explaining how to do this in the post with the form. Even though you have registered online, you will still need to complete the form and send it back to Torbay Council.”

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.

Head of Support and Improvement at the Electoral Commission, Melanie Davidson, 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 the local registration team at Torbay Council on 01803 208008 or electoral.registration@torbay.gov.uk.