Rutland Your vote is your voice. Take a moment to check your registration and ensure you have the chance to use it in future elections, Make Your Voice Heard: A Guide to the Rutland Annual Canvass

Make Your Voice Heard: A Guide to the Rutland Annual Canvass

Residents of Rutland are being urged to ensure their eligibility to vote in future elections by participating in the annual canvass of electors. This yearly process, which runs from the end of July to December, is a crucial step for Rutland County Council in updating the Register of Electors and ensuring everyone who is eligible has the opportunity to make their voice heard.

The Register of Electors is more than just a list for voting; it's also a key component of your financial identity. Being on the register can affect your credit rating, so it's not just about civic duty—it's about personal financial well-being, too.

This year, there's a particular focus on recent movers. Electoral Commission research has consistently shown that people who have recently changed address are significantly less likely to be registered to vote. If you've moved house recently, be on the lookout for a voter registration message and make sure you check the details for your new address.

Rutland County Council, as with all local authorities, is legally required to conduct this annual canvass. In the coming days, residents will receive either an email or a letter asking them to confirm their details. Approximately 8,000 canvass emails will be sent out, and residents should check their inboxes, including their junk or spam folders, for an email from the secure address: rutland.county.council@notifications.service.gov.uk. Paper forms will follow in the post during August for those who require them.

The process is straightforward: simply follow the instructions in your email or letter and respond as soon as you can. Please note that the option to respond by text message is no longer available.

For those who don't respond, the council is obligated to make repeated attempts to contact them, which may include door-to-door canvassers visiting properties to gather the necessary information.

For further information on the process of registering to vote, you can visit the Electoral Commission's website at www.electoralcommission.org.uk/voting-and-elections. If you have any specific questions about the annual canvass in Rutland, you can contact the local registration team at elections@rutland.gov.uk or by calling 01572 720 954.

Your vote is your voice. Take a moment to check your registration and ensure you have the chance to use it in future elections.