Register to vote

If you want to have your say in potential future changes to the voting system – then you must be registered to vote.

 That’s the advice from Julian Wain, the Chief Executive, of Gloucester City Council in advance of the annual canvass to update the city’s register of electors.

Next May there will be local elections in the city – and there may also be a national referendum about changes to the voting system itself.

Registration forms will start dropping on local doormats over the coming few days.

Commented Julian Wain: “ It is important that people don’t put them aside and forget about them. If there are no changes needed in the information we have – they must still tell us.

 “ The easiest way is to do this online or over the telephone. It’s quick and by far the most cost effective way to help us save money for residents.

 “ If there are changes then those need to be marked up on the form and returned to us in the pre-paid envelope.

 “ If people don’t do this then we have to send out a second form and often we also have to make one or more personal visits too. That starts to make it a very expensive operation.

 “ In these challenging economic times anything that people can do to help us make the register accurate and save money at the same time would be welcomed.”

Filling in the registration form is a legal requirement and there can be penalties for not doing so.

But, added Julian Wain: “ Apart from being unable to vote in an election not being on the register has other hidden disadvantages. Credit reference agencies use the electoral register to check up on people. If you are not registered then you could find you have trouble getting a mortgage, a loan or even a mobile phone.”

For information and advice about the Electoral Annual Canvass 2010 and registering to vote click here| or telephone the electoral registration team on 01452 396204.

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