Don't lose your voice - time to register

The Plymouth Daily backs Plymouth City Council’s campaign to remind people it’s time to register to vote.

Members of both the Labour and Conservative parties have joined Plymouth City Council's Chief Executive to remind Plymouth residents to register to vote.

Over 116,000 voter registration forms have been posted to households across the city, asking residents to confirm their details so that the electoral register is up-to-date and everyone who is entitled to vote can do so.

Posters, adverts and banners on buses displaying the phrase ‘don’t lose your voice’ will be seen over the next few months in the city. The aim is to remind people that if they are not on the electoral register they have no voice on local and national issues and will not be able to vote in next year’s elections.

By not being on the register, residents are not only losing their right to have a say, they will also be affected when applying for credit; whether it’s a loan, mortgage or a mobile phone contract.

Residents who get their forms back to the Council before Wednesday 6 November will be entered into a prize draw to win one of two iPADs.

Completing the registration form is easy. Residents who have no changes to make can confirm their details at any time on an automated phone line or via the Council’s website. If you still live at the same address and with the same people as last year you can just call Freephone 08082841425 or visit www.elecreg.co.uk/plymouth. More than 12,000 households used this service last year.

If you have recently moved or there have been changes to the people living with you, you will need to complete the form with your amendments as usual.

Students studying away from home, at university or college, can register in their home town as well in Plymouth as long as they do not vote twice.

Deputy Leader of the Council, Councillor Peter Smith said: “We are keen to get as many residents registered to vote as possible and hope that by offering these options, more people will get to have their say at elections. If you don’t register or confirm the details we hold you will not be able to voice your opinions at the elections next year.”

There is an edited version of the electoral register that is available for sale to anyone and some companies use this to target addresses with junk mail. You can withhold your details from this version of the register by completing the relevant part of the voter registration form.

Anyone who has not received a voter registration form or needs another one should contact the Council’s electoral registration service on 304866 or 304936. Forms are also available from the Civic Centre reception or by visiting www.plymouth.gov.uk/electoral.