16 July 2015

Please note: this news article is in our archive. Articles were correct at time of publication, but should not be relied on for accuracy after the passage of time.

Households in Mid Sussex will soon be receiving an annual enquiry form asking residents to check whether the information that appears on the electoral register for their address is correct, and everyone is required to respond.

Mid Sussex District Council must carry out a voter registration canvass at this time every year to ensure the electoral register is up to date and to identify any residents who are not registered so that they can be encouraged to do so. With the Police and Crime Commissioner election taking place across Mid Sussex in May 2016, this is an opportunity for residents to make sure that when the elections take place they will easily be able to take part.

“Anyone that wants to vote must be registered. To make sure you are able to have your say at the elections next year, simply check the form when it arrives and respond as promptly as possible,” said Tom Clark, Returning Officer for Mid Sussex District Council. “It’s simpler and cheaper to reply online as the form explains.”

“If you’re not currently registered, we’ll send you information explaining how to do this or you can just go online to apply to register at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.”

It’s particularly important that anyone who has moved address recently looks out for the form and checks whether they are registered.

Research by the independent Electoral Commission indicates that across Great Britain, recent home movers are far less likely to be registered than those that have lived at the same address for a long time. The research showed that 94 % of people who have been at their property for more than sixteen years will be registered compared to 40% of people who have lived at an address for less than one year.

The same research indicates that whilst almost 95% of outright home owners are registered, this is the case for only 63% of private renters.

Kay Jenkins, Head of English regions at the Electoral Commission said:

“The annual canvass is an opportunity for people to easily check whether they’re registered. It’s essential for a healthy democracy that everyone who is entitled to vote is able to, and for those who need to, registering is now easier than ever with the online system of registration.”

“If you have changed address in the last year, it’s particularly likely that you will need to register at your new address, so check the form as soon as it arrives.”

For more information about registering to vote contact the Mid Sussex District Council Electoral Services team by emailing elections@midsussex.gov.uk or calling 01444 477003.