COUNCIL chiefs have urged Evesham and Pershore residents to make sure their electoral registration details are up to date or risk losing their voice in future elections.
Wychavon District Council is currently carrying out the annual canvass, which checks the details of everyone registered to vote in the district and allows people now eligible to vote to be added.
Information is being sent electronically during July to residents who have given their email address, so they can confirm or change the details held about their household.
Postal forms will be sent out to other residents during August and September.
People are legally required to respond to these requests for information.
In previous years, if people did not respond, then a canvasser would visit them to collect their information.
Because of the Covid-19 pandemic Wychavon is trying to limit contact with people on the doorstep to help reduce the risk of spreading the virus, so canvassers will only be used this year as a last resort.
Residents are being asked to play their part in keeping the virus under control, by confirming their information as soon as possible after receiving a request. This can be done by, text, online or by post.
If someone’s name does not appear on the information sent then they will not be registered to vote and will need to register online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote
People who have recently moved should particularly look out for electoral registration requests from Wychavon, as it is likely they will need to add themselves back on to the register.
Elaine Dicks, Electoral Services Manager for Wychavon, said: ”It’s important residents keep an eye out for messages from Wychavon, so we can make sure we have the right details on the electoral register for every address.
“We have to carry out the canvass by law and the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic makes this challenging. If we have to visit your door to collect information, we will follow guidance and take account of social distancing measures. We want to avoid this if we can.
“You can help us by responding as quickly as possible to requests for information when you receive them.”
