By Press Release
| Islanders are being urged to check their electoral registration details or risk losing their chance to vote on decisions that affect them. |
| Residents will start receiving letters from the IW Council from August 29. You will be asked to confirm if the names of people listed as eligible to vote in your household are correct.
Being on the electoral register means that you can vote in future elections and it can help with your credit rating. The annual canvass ensures that the IW Council can keep the electoral register up to date. It identifies any residents who are not registered so they can be encouraged to do so. Claire Shand, Director of Corporate Services said: “It’s important that residents keep an eye out for letters from us which start arriving from August 29. This helps us make sure we have the right details on the electoral register for every address on the Island. “To ensure you are able to have your say at any future elections, simply follow the instructions in your letter. It’s really quick and easy. “If you’re not currently registered, your name will not appear on the letters or forms we send. If you want to register, the easiest way is online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote, or we’ll send you information explaining how to do this in the post. Once registered, you will then be able take part in any future elections.” People who have recently moved are particularly encouraged to look out for the voter letter and check and confirm the details. Research by the Electoral Commission indicates that recent home movers are far less likely to be registered than those who have lived at the same address for a long time. Across Britain, 92 per cent of people who have been at their property for more than 16 years will be registered, compared to 36 per cent of people who have lived at an address for less than a year. Any residents who have questions can contact the council’s electoral registration team at https://www.iow.gov.uk/ |