An initiative is underway to make sure those who are entitled to are registered to vote.
Householders in South Holland will shortly receive a form asking them to check whether the information that appears on the electoral register for those living at their address is correct.
The forms are being sent out as part of South Holland District Council’s annual voter registration canvass.
The aim is to ensure the electoral register is up to date and to identify any residents who are not registered so that they can be encouraged to do so.
With local elections and Police and Crime Commissioner elections taking place across Lincolnshire in May 2016, it is an opportunity for residents to make sure that when the elections take place they will easily be able to take part.
Anna Graves, Electoral Registration Officer at South Holland District Council, said: “Anyone that wants to vote must be registered. To make sure you are able to have your say at the elections next year, simply check the form when it arrives and return it as promptly as possible.
“If you’re not registered, we’ll send you information explaining how to do this or you can just go online to apply to register at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.”
It’s particularly important that anyone who has moved address recently looks out for the form and checks whether they are registered.
Research by the independent Electoral Commission indicates that across Great Britain, recent home movers are far less likely to be registered than those that have lived at the same address for a long time.
The research showed that 94 per cent of people who have been at their property for more than 16 years will be registered compared to 40 per cent of people who have lived at an address for less than one year.
The same research indicates that whilst almost 95 per cent of outright home owners are registered, this is the case for only 63 per cent of private renters.
Residents can contact the council’s elections team at 01775 761161.
