Reigate & Banstead residents urged to check their voter registration details

The annual canvass ensures that Reigate & Banstead Borough Council can keep the electoral register up to date, identifying any residents who are not registered to vote so that they can be invited to do so.

With borough council elections taking place in the borough of Reigate and Banstead in May 2022, this is an important opportunity for residents to make sure they can take part.

Mari Roberts-Wood, Electoral Registration Officer at Reigate & Banstead Borough Council, said: “It’s important that residents look out for messages from the Council, so we can make sure we have the right details on the electoral register for every address in the borough. We will send you an email, text message or form for you to respond to. To make sure you are able to have your say at the elections at taking place next year, simply follow the instructions sent to you.

“If you’re not currently registered, your name will not appear in the messages we send. The easiest way to register is online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote, or we’ll send you information explaining how to do this.”

“As we carry out this important work to update the electoral register we will continue to follow  public health guidelines, including respecting social distancing when canvassing.”

People who have moved recently are particularly encouraged to look out for the voter registration messages from Reigate & Banstead Borough Council and check the details. Research by the Electoral Commission, published in 2019, indicates that recent home movers are far less likely to be registered than those who have lived at the same address for a long time. Across Great Britain, 92% of people who have been at their property for more than sixteen years will be registered, compared to 36% of people who have lived at an address for less than one year.

Being registered for Council Tax does not mean you are registered to vote. It can also be harder to get credit if you’re not registered as it can affect your credit rating.

Melanie Davidson, Head of Support and Improvement at the Electoral Commission, said: “It’s really important that everyone who is entitled to vote is able to do so. Checking the messages that you will get from your local authority is the easiest way to see if you’re registered to vote. If you’re not, make sure you provide the necessary information to your local authority when it is needed and register to vote online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.”

Information on registering to vote is available on the Electoral Commission website www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter.

For more information visit www.reigate-banstead.gov.uk/canvass. Residents who still have questions can email elreg@reigate-banstead.gov.uk or call the elections helpline on 01737 276794.