Residents are being encouraged to ensure that they are registered to vote in May’s general election.
With less than a month to the registration deadline, Croydon Council is reminding residents to make sure their name is included, so that they don’t lose their right to have a say in who forms the next parliament.
Monday 20 April marks the last day that eligible Croydon voters can add their name to the register to guarantee a vote on Thursday 7 May.
Prior to last June’s overhaul of the electoral registration system, one person in every household was responsible for registering everybody who lived at that address. Under the new system, each person is now required to register to vote individually.
During the transition to the new system, Croydon residents in 96% of properties responded, and confirmed or registered their elector details. A fully revised and updated electoral register was published on 1 December 2014.
Currently, Croydon has almost 250,000 electors, and poll cards will be delivered to all registered electors by Friday 10 April. Delivering poll cards by that date will ensure anyone that has not received a poll card will have time to register.
And, for the first time, information poll cards will be sent to properties that have no registered electors. On that card will be instructions for anyone resident at the property on how to register before the 20 April deadline.
Since the publication of the register, the council’s electoral services team has been working toward maximising registration. In addition, much work has been undertaken to target traditionally hard-to-reach groups, such as home movers, young people, black and ethnic minority groups, and people with disabilities.
The Electoral Commission reports, however, that there is still much underrepresentation in such groups and their members are urged: “check now to ensure you can vote”.
Nathan Elvery, Croydon’s electoral returning officer, said: “Nothing better outlines the situation to the borough’s residents than our campaign message, which says ‘No vote, no voice, no excuse’.
“We are calling on all eligible electors to check their name is on the electoral register. There is no excuse for them not being able to vote and having a say in the selection of the post-election parliament.
“If you find that you are not on the electoral register then online registration will take no more than five minutes to complete. Just have your National Insurance number to hand and the process should be very straightforward.”
A wealth of information, including details of how to register to vote, and check your registration, can be found on the council’s website at www.croydon.gov.uk/elections
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