During the summer, some 150,000 Croydon households received a form, as part of the annual voter registration canvass, asking residents to check whether the information that appears on the electoral register for those living at their address is correct.
The opportunity for anybody who has yet to check that their electoral register details are correct and up to date ends on 20 November.
Following changes last year, the system is now called individual electoral registration. Whereas, previously, the head of the household was responsible for registering everyone who lived at the address, each individual is now responsible for their own voter registration.
This is the first full canvass under individual electoral registration and has gone well, with, at present, around eight out of 10 households having supplied the required information. The remaining 20%, however, are in danger of missing the registration deadline, now less than three weeks away.
Over the past month, electoral registration canvassers have been calling at all non-responding households and individuals to ensure the maximum number of electors will appear on the new, fully revised register of electors to be published on 1 December.
Some 11,000 electors on the current register will be receiving a further form to complete to ensure their details appear on the new register. This is because they are electors who were retained on the register during the transition to individual electoral registration but remain unconfirmed. It is very important that anyone who receives such a form supplies the requested information or they will be removed from the register to be published in December.
Nathan Elvery, Croydon’s electoral registration officer, said: “It’s important, if you want your voice to count in any election, that you register to vote.
“To make sure you’re able to have your say at the elections next year, please return the form as promptly as possible, there’s now no time to lose. This is your last chance to ensure you’re included in the new version of the electoral registration to be published in December.
“I cannot stress strongly enough that, if you have any doubts about your registration status, you should contact, without delay, the council’s electoral registration team on 020 8760 5591.”
