READING Borough Council is encouraging residents to make sure their electoral registration details are up to date amid changes to voting rights.
Voting rights for EU citizens have changed following the UK’s departure from the European Union, meaning many EU citizens are now ineligible to take part in local elections and Police and Crime Commissioner elections.
After a review of voter eligibility launched last month, Reading Borough Council is getting in touch with residents through its annual canvass to help keep its electoral register up to date.
Letters are being sent to households across town so that those who aren’t registered can do so, as well as confirming the eligibility of EU citizens.
Only EU citizens from countries with bilateral candidacy treaties, which includes Spain, Portugal, Denmark, Poland, and Luxembourg, and those who were already residents in the UK before December 31, 2020, are still eligible to take part in local elections.
Residents will receive letters including their electoral details as well as steps to take to ensure eligible voters do not lose their electoral status.
Those who have moved house recently are particularly encouraged by the council to look out for communications regarding voter registration and to keep their information up to date.
This will be followed up by a telephone canvass in September.
Michael Graham, Electoral Registration Officer at Reading Borough Council, said:
“It is really important that residents keep an eye out for messages from the Council, so we can ensure we have the right details on the electoral register for every address in Reading.
“Some households will receive their first letter (known as ‘Canvass Communication A letter’) from the Council this week.
“This is only being sent to those households where we have been able to match details with records from the Department of Work and Pensions.”
He explained: “People will only need to respond to this letter if the electoral register information is incorrect–the quickest and easiest way to reply is online by following the details given in the letter.
“At the end of August some households will receive a ‘Canvass Communication B letter’ from the Council.
“This communication will be sent to households where we have not been able to match details.”
He said: “People will need to respond to this letter to ensure the electoral register information is correct–again, residents are encouraged to reply online following the details and instructions given in the letter.
“If you are not currently registered, your name will not appear in the communications we send. Residents can register online via: gov.uk/register-to-vote
