Angus residents should check their electoral registration details or risk losing their chance to vote on decisions that affect them.
The Electoral Registration Officer has written to households to check that the electoral register is up to date and to identify any residents who should be registered but aren’t.
For those at home addresses who have been asked to respond, their letters contain instructions on how to provide details of any changes. A reminder letter will also be sent shortly.
Those who don’t to respond can expect a visit from a representative of the Electoral Registration Officer in the coming weeks asking for details to be provided.
Roy Christie, Electoral Registration Officer for Angus Council, said: “Keep an eye out for important updates from the Electoral Registration Officer.
“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 at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.”
Moved house recently? Then this message is aimed at you in particular. Please check your details are up to date.
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 period of 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.
The letter sent to each household will contain a flyer regarding Voter ID.
To vote in person at a UK Parliament election you will need to show photo ID. This could be your passport, driving licence or National Entitlement Card.
If you don’t have an accepted form of photo ID, you can apply for a free voter ID document known as a Voter Authority Certificate.
Currently, the requirement to show photo ID only applies to a UK Parliament by-election. But it will also apply to a UK Parliament general election from October 2023.
Photo ID is not required at Scottish Parliament or Scottish council elections.
For more information or if you wish to apply for Voter ID, please visit the Electoral Commission Voter ID webpage and set your location to Scotland.
Andy O’Neill, Head of the Electoral Commission in Scotland, 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 Electoral Registration Officer on this year’s canvass. You might receive an email, a letter, or a phone call, or someone might knock on your door.
If you are not registered to vote, make sure you provide the necessary information to your Electoral Registration Officer when asked to and register to vote online.”
Information on registering to vote is available on the Electoral Commission website (remember to set the location to Scotland).
Angus residents with questions about their registration status can contact the Electoral Registration Officer for Angus Council on 01307 499910, or email forfar@tayside-vjb.gov.uk.
Please be aware that the Electoral Registration Office at both William Wallace House, Orchard Loan, Forfar, is open to members of the public by appointment only.