Although the General Election has yet to be called, council officials in St Edmundsbury are already working hard to make sure that all eligible residents can have their say on polling day.
On 1 September, elections staff at St Edmundsbury Borough Council will be sending 46,000 forms to households in the borough. By completing and returning the form St Edmundsbury's voters will be making sure they can vote in any local by-elections and in the next General Election.
Geoff Rivers, Returning Officer for St Edmundsbury said:
"The electoral register is updated every year using the forms that residents return to us. Returning the completed form is important, because if you do not do so, you will be taken off the electoral register and you will be unable to vote. I would urge everyone to exercise their democratic right to express a preference on the governance of this county. Last year we took 946 names off the register because they had not returned a completed form for two years."
For some people the general election will be the first they take part . If they have any queries about registering or what they have to do to cast their vote they can find out more by calling 01284 757131 or go to www.aboutmyvote.co.uk."
Karen Quaintmere, Head of Electoral Administration for the Electoral Commission said:
"There's a General Election coming between now and June 2010. If you're not registered to vote, then you can't make a decision about who represents you in Westminster. Secure your voice on the issues that matter to you now: it only takes a few minutes."
For more information contact your local Electoral Registration Officer on 01284 757131 or visit www.aboutmyvote.co.uk
Notes to editors
- The annual canvass takes place every autumn. An annual canvass form will be sent to every domestic property in St Edmundsbury on 1 September. The completed forms will be used to compile a new electoral register for next year's elections. The new register will be published by 1 December 2009.
- You can vote if you live in the UK and are aged 18 or over on polling day and a British, Irish Republic, qualifying Commonwealth citizen. British citizens living overseas are also eligible to vote if they have been registered in the UK in the past 15 years. Members of the UK armed forces serving abroad can also vote.
Ends
Issued by Sally Easton, Communications Unit, St Edmundsbury Borough Council. Phone 01284 757046 Email: sally.easton@stedsbc.gov.uk
