Your vote matters – don’t lose it

People in Orkney are being encouraged not to lose their vote by completing and returning their annual canvass form to the Electoral Registration Office as soon as possible.

The form ensures that the electoral register for Orkney is kept up to date. Residents need to be registered to take part in any future elections.

Dennis Stevenson, the electoral registration officer for Orkney and Shetland, said: “It’s important that residents respond as soon as they can, so we can make sure we have the right details on the electoral register for every address in Orkney.

“If you’re not currently registered, your name will not appear on the form. To make sure you can have your say at future elections, simply check the form you receive and respond as soon as possible.

“All responses can now be made online and we would encourage householders, where possible, to use this method rather than returning the form in the post.”

People who have changed address recently are particularly encouraged to keep an eye out for the form and check the details.

Research by the independent Electoral Commission indicates that recent home movers are far less likely to be registered than those who have lived at the same address for a long period of time.

Across the UK, 94 per cent of people who have been at their property for more than sixteen years will be registered, compared to 40 per cent of people who have lived at an address for less than a year.

Further information about registering to vote is available on the Electoral Commission website at https://www.yourvotematters.co.uk/

Any residents who have any questions can contact the Electoral Registration Office at 8 Broad Street, Kirkwall. Phone: 01856 876222, or email ero@orkney.gov.uk