Residents urged to ensure they’re registered to vote

THOUSANDS of Swansea residents are being asked to check they are registered to vote.

As part of annual canvass, the 112,614 households in Swansea will soon be receiving a form asking residents to check whether the information which appears on the Electoral Register for that address is correct.

The aim is to ensure that 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 important National Assembly of Wales and Police and Crime Commissioner elections taking place on May 5 next year, this is an early opportunity for residents to make sure that they will be able to take part.

Not appearing on the Electoral Register may have a negative effect on your credit score, which is used when buying some items, such as mobile phones, or when opening a bank account.

Alison O’Hara, Swansea Council’s Electoral Services Team Leader, said: “Anyone who 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 return it as promptly as possible.

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

“It’s particularly important that anyone who has moved address recently looks out for this information to ensure that they are registered. ”

Research by the Electoral Commission indicates that 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 across Great Britain, 94 % of people who have been at their property for more than 16 years will be registered compared to 40% of people who have lived at an address for less than a year.

The same research has also shown that this trend is seen across Wales too.

Rhydian Thomas, Head of Wales Office at the Electoral Commission, said: “If you have changed address in the last year, it’s likely that you will need to register at your new address, so be sure to check the form as soon as it arrives.”