Residents in Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge will soon be receiving a form asking them to check whether the information that appears on the electoral register for those living at their address is correct during Sedgemoor’s annual voter registration canvass.
The aim of the form is to ensure that the electoral register is up to date and to identify any residents who are not registered so that they can be encouraged to do so.
Louise Potter, Elections manager at Sedgemoor District Council, explained to Burnham-On-Sea.com: “Anyone that wants to vote must be registered. To make sure you are able to have your say in any upcoming elections simply check the form when it arrives and return it as promptly as possible.”
“If you’re not currently registered, we’ll send you information explaining how to do this or you can just go online to apply to register at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.”
“It’s particularly important that anyone who has moved address recently looks out for the form and checks whether they are registered.”
“Any residents who have any questions can contact the elections team at Sedgemoor District Council by calling 0300 303 7804.”
The electoral register lists the names and addresses of everyone who is registered to vote in public elections. The register is used for electoral purposes, such as making sure only eligible people can vote. It is also used for other limited purposes specified in law, such as: detecting crime (e.g. fraud), calling people for jury service, checking credit applications.
The open register is an extract of the electoral register, but is not used for elections. It can be bought by any person, company or organisation. For example, it is used by businesses and charities to confirm name and address details. Your name and address will be included in the open register unless you ask for them to be removed. Removing your details from the open register does not affect your right to vote.
To be eligible to register to vote in England a person must be: Aged 16 or over (a person may register to vote at 16, but may not vote until they are 18); A British or qualifying Commonwealth citizen who has leave to enter and remain in the UK or does not require such leave; A citizen of the Republic of Ireland or other European Union (EU) member state.
British citizens, Irish citizens and qualifying citizens of Commonwealth countries (including Cyprus and Malta), as well as citizens of other EU member states can vote in local government elections and Police and Crime Commissioner elections in England and Wales.
