GBC Say – Register Early to Vote

Published on: 21 Jun, 2012
Updated on: 21 Jun, 2012

Voters across Guildford will soon receive their annual registration form from Guildford Borough Council. Those that register will be able to cast their votes at the polls in 2012-13.

The forms will be used by council Electoral Services team to compile the electoral register for the year ahead. Voters will have the opportunity to take part in the Police and Crime Commissioner elections on 15 November 2012 and County Council elections in May 2013.

Lynda Murlewski, Electoral Services Manager, at GBC, says: “The annual canvass is early this year – starting on 25 June instead of 1 September. This is to ensure every eligible resident has the chance to vote at the Police and Crime Commissioner elections.

“Registering to vote is simple, quick and easy. Just update the annual canvass form with the details of everyone in your household who is eligible to vote and return the form to us as soon as possible. If your details haven’t changed you can confirm them by phone or online.”

Responding to the form enables you to opt out of the edited register if you wish to do so. This means that your details cannot be bought by individuals and commercial organisations. It can also affect your credit rating if you are eligible but do not register to vote.

A council spokeswoman added: “The annual canvass is based on property returns, not individual residents. We sent out 57,363 forms to properties last year [2011] and 53,924 were returned – a 94% response rate.

“Some residents in our borough are not eligible to vote in the UK. Others are not registered in Guildford as the property is their second home or they are a student registered at another address.”

For more information readers can visit www.guildford.gov.uk/elections, call 01483 444115 or visit www.aboutmyvote.co.uk