07/09/22: Don't lose your vote - residents in Breckland urged to check voter registration details

Breckland residents are being urged to check their electoral registration details are up to date or risk losing their chance to vote in future elections.

With district council elections due to take place in Breckland in May 2023, this is an opportunity for residents to make sure they are registered to make their voices heard. Being on the electoral register can also help with confirming your identify, potentially making it easier to obtain credit.

Breckland Council is currently writing to households across the district with details it currently holds about who is registered to vote at that property. People are being urged to respond to these letters as the annual canvass enables the council to keep the electoral register up to date, including updating details of people who have moved house since the last election or become eligible to vote after reaching voting age.

Maxine O'Mahony,Returning Officer at Breckland Council said: "The annual canvass is our way of making sure that the information on the electoral register for every address is accurate. To make sure you don't lose your say at the next election, look out for details in the post and make sure you respond to confirm the details are correct or to amend anything that is out of date. If you don't hear from us within the next few weeks, you might not be on the register at all, and so need to register to have your say in future elections."

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 important that everyone who is eligible to vote is able to do so. We urge people to look out for updates from their local council on this year's canvass. The council may contact residents by post or email. 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."

Residents with questions about their registration status can contact theirBreckland Council's Democratic Services team.