Sandwell residents are being urged to check their electoral registration details or risk losing their chance to vote on decisions that affect them.
The annual canvass allows Sandwell Council to keep the electoral register up to date, to identify who risks losing their voice at elections, and to encourage them to register before it’s too late.
Shokat Lal, Electoral Registration Officer at Sandwell Council, said: “Keep an eye out for a letter from Sandwell Council. The annual canvass is our way of making sure that the information on the electoral register for every address is accurate and up to date. To make sure you don’t lose your say at upcoming elections, simply follow the instructions sent to you.
“If you’re not currently registered, your name will not appear in the messages we send. If you want to register, the easiest way is online via Gov.UK.”
Canvassers will start to deliver letters in Sandwell from Monday 31 July. Everyone is asked to read the letter they receive carefully.
If the letter shows a list of people living in your home and it is correct, and the letter tells you that if the information is correct you do not need to do anything, then you don't need to respond. The letter will state this clearly at the top.
If the letter shows a list of people living in your home and it is wrong, you need to let the council know. You will be able to do this online or by phone.
If your letter states you must respond, please make sure you do whether the information held for your household is correct or not.
You will be able to respond to confirm or change your household details online, by text, by phone or by returning the form by post.
Recent home movers in particular are urged to check their details. Electoral Commission research has found that recent home movers are less likely to be registered than those who have lived at the same address for a long time. In Great Britain, 92% of those who have lived in their home for 16 years will be registered, compared with 36% of people who have lived at an address for less than a year.
Melanie Davidson, Head of Support and Improvement at the Electoral Commission, said: “It’s really important that everyone who is eligible to vote is able to do so. We urge people to check for updates from their local council on this year’s canvass.
“If you are not registered to vote, make sure you provide the necessary information to your local council when asked and register to vote online.”
Information on registering to vote is available on the Electoral Commission website.
More details about the annual canvass in Sandwell
Residents with questions about their registration status can contact Sandwell Council’s electoral services team by email or by calling 0121 569 3244.