RESIDENTS are being urged to ensure they can have a vote in next year’s local elections – and if the new prime minister calls a snap general election.
Reading Borough Council is sending out canvass forms to households who have yet to respond to requests to check the electoral roll.
The Council’s annual canvass ensures that it can keep the electoral register up-to-date, identifying any residents who are not registered and encouraging them to do so.
Children aged between 16 and 17 should be registered so they can vote when they turn 18.
Christopher Brooks, Electoral Registration Officer at Reading Borough Council. Said: “We are now moving on to the third stage of our canvass. That means some households will receive what is known as a Canvass Form.
“This is only going to those households where we have not been able to match details with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and to those households who have not yet responded to the Canvass letters sent out in at the end of July.
“People must respond to this letter by September 28.”
It is possible to respond online, or by returning the form in a provided pre-pay envelope.
“Where no response is received, the Council is then obliged to follow up with households for a third time, which could include door-to-door canvassers visiting the address,” Mr Brooks said.
“It costs the Council money to do this, so it’s really important the form is returned as quickly as possible, ideally online which is the quickest route.”
Anyone not registered to vote can log on to: www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. For more details, call: 0118 937 3717 or email: Elections@reading.gov.uk
