Annual canvass starts
Richmondshire residents are being urged not to lose their right to vote by making sure their electoral registration details are up to date.
The district council begins its annual canvass early next month. This keeps the electoral register up to date and identifies any residents who are not registered.
Around 10,000 households will receive emails from Monday (4 July) and are urged to respond to it, so that there is no need to send postal canvass forms to them. Everyone that receives an email must respond. Where the council does not have an email address a canvass form will be sent by post later in the month.
“It’s important that residents keep an eye out for messages from us so we can make sure we have the right details on the electoral register for every address in the district. We want to make sure all residents are able to take part in elections,” said Tony Clark, Electoral Registration Officer at Richmondshire District Council.
People who have moved recently into the area are particularly encouraged to look out for the voter registration messages and check the details. Research by the Electoral Commission shows 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% of people who have been at their property for more than 16 years will be registered, compared to 36% of people who have lived at an address for less than one year.
Queries can be answered through the electoral team on 01748 829100 or emailing er.elections@richmondshire.gov.uk.
For more information about registering to vote check out the Electoral Commission website.