Residents asked to respond to annual Electoral Register check

Local residents are being warned not to lose their voice on decisions that affect them by making sure their electoral registration details are up to date.

The annual canvass ensures that East Riding of Yorkshire Council can keep the electoral register up to date, identifying any residents who are not registered so that they can be encouraged to do so.

Each household in the East Riding will receive communication in the next few days to check the details of the members of the household. Some will receive an e-mail and others will receive paper forms.

As the electoral services team is continuing to work remotely, residents are urged to respond to the annual canvass using one of the following methods and not to try and return their paper form:

• Visit www.registersecurely.com/EastRiding
• Call 0800 975 8346 to make an automated response
• Text the security codes which are on the letter or in the e-mail to 07860 017763, followed by the words 'No Changes'

If the electoral details are correct, any of the above response methods can be used. If there are changes to report, then the secure website www.registersecurely.com/EastRiding has to be used.

The initial forms which are being sent out are different to previous years' forms and do not include a return envelope with all households being encouraged to respond using one of the above channels.

Darren Stevens, director of corporate resources at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “It’s important that residents keep an eye out for messages from East Riding of Yorkshire Council, so we can make sure we have the right details on the electoral register for every address in the area.

“To make sure you are able to have your say at elections, simply follow the instructions.”

People who have moved recently are particularly encouraged to look out for the voter registration messages from East Riding of Yorkshire Council and check 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 Great Britain, 92% of people who have been at their property for more than 16 years will be registered, compared to 36% of people who have lived at an address for less than one year.

Melanie Davidson, head of support and improvement at the Electoral Commission, said: “It’s really important that everyone who is entitled to vote is able to do so. Making sure you provide the necessary information to your local authority when it is needed will ensure the process runs smoothly.”