Borders residents encouraged to make sure they can vote

Tuesday, November 17 2009

The next general election must be held on or before 3 June 2010.

Les Walker, Electoral Registration Officer for Scottish Borders Council, is urging local residents to make sure that the myths about electoral registration do not prevent them from voting.

The response to the annual canvass, which is used to compile the voters’ roll, is poorer than in previous years.

Les is concerned that electors are not aware that there is a requirement for every household to make a return each year and failure to respond may prevent people exercising their democratic right to vote.

A reminder form has gone out to those households which have not responded and canvassers are calling on them to offer help.

Les said: “Registering to vote is simple and easy but some people falsely believe that it is complicated or that they don’t need to bother. All you need to do is complete the annual canvass form that comes through your letter box, sign it and pop it in the post.”

Some of the myths include:

If you pay council tax, you’ll be automatically registered – Council Tax and electoral registration are separate. Paying Council Tax does not automatically mean your name is added to the voters roll.

You have to be born in the UK to register to vote – British, Irish, EU and qualifying Commonwealth citizens can all register to vote, although EU citizens cannot vote in UK Parliamentary elections.

Students can’t register at their student digs – students can register at both their term-time and home addresses, but can only cast one vote at a general election.

You have to be 18 to register to vote – your name can be added to the voters’ roll from the age of 16, although you need to be 18 to vote.

You don’t have to re-register if you’ve moved within the same local authority area – If you’ve changed any of your personal details, especially your address, you will always need to re-register, even if you still live in the same local authority area.

My details will be sold to marketing companies – if you choose to opt out of the edited register by ticking the box on the annual canvass form, your details will not be sold to anyone.

For more information contact your local Electoral Registration Officer on 01838 825100.

Notes

1. The annual canvass takes place between August and December every year. An annual canvass form is sent to every property in Scottish Borders and a new register is published on or before 1 December.

2. We have 4386 less forms returned in the Borders than at the same point last year. We currently have around 7000 forms still to be returned.

Reference: News-28126, Contact the Author