Plea made to check and return voter registration information

West Suffolk Council is currently completing the annual review of the electoral register and urging households that have not responded to check and return their voter registration details.

With Police and Crime Commissioner elections taking place in May 2024, and a General Election which must take place by January 2025, residents are being warned not to lose their voice on decisions that affect them by making sure their electoral registration details are up to date.

The annual canvass ensures that West Suffolk Council can keep the electoral register up to date, identifying any residents who are not registered so that they can be encouraged to do so. They would then be able take part in any future elections.

Gerald Kelly, cabinet member for Governance and Regulatory at West Suffolk Council, said: “We have sent two electoral registration forms to addresses that have not yet responded and the next step is to send a canvasser to visit in person. We do this because being able to vote is fundamental, but we would prefer non-responding households to return the form to prevent unnecessary expense with a canvasser visit. I’m sure many households are meaning to get round to this job, and this is a gentle reminder.

“If you’re not currently registered, your name will not appear on the household forms that we send. If you want to register, the easiest way is online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote, or we can send a form in the post.”

People who have moved recently are particularly encouraged to look out for the voter registration messages from West Suffolk Council and check the details.

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.

Across Great Britain, 92 per cent of people who have been at their property for more than 16 years will be registered, compared to 36 per cent of people who have lived at an address for less than one year.

Residents can find out more by visiting www.westsuffolk.gov.uk/canvass