With the Police and Crime Commissioner election due to take place in May 2016, residents in West Suffolk are being asked to make sure they can take part by checking that the information held on the electoral register is correct.

A form is being sent to every household in Forest Heath and St Edmundsbury as part of the annual electoral canvass. Anyone who has recently moved address is asked in particular to look out for the form.

Ian Gallin, Electoral Registration Officer at Forest Heath and St Edmundsbury councils said:

“Anyone who wants to vote must be registered. To make sure you are able to have your say at the elections, simply check the Household Enquiry Form when it arrives, and return it as promptly as possible.”

“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 ”.

People can go online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote to respond to the Household Enquiry Form, to add names, delete names, request postal votes and opt out of the open register.

If there are no changes to be made, they can respond by text or phone. Or they can return the completed form in the pre-paid envelope provided.

Further information about the annual canvass can be found on the Council website at www.westsuffolk.gov.uk/registertovote

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.”

Any residents who have any questions can contact the elections team for West Suffolk by calling 01284 757131 or 01638 719366 or emailingelections@westsuffolk.gov.uk