Don't lose your right to vote – residents urged to check their voter registration details

Date: 

Friday, 12 August, 2022

Woking borough residents are being urged to check their electoral registration details or risk losing their chance to vote on local decisions that affect them.

With elections taking place for Woking Borough Council on Thursday 4 May 2023, this is an opportunity for residents to make sure they can take part.

From Friday 19 August 2022, the council will start its yearly audit, known as the ‘annual canvass’. This work keeps the electoral register up to date, identifies those at risk of losing their voice at elections, and encourages residents to register before it’s too late.

Julie Fisher, Electoral Registration Officer at Woking Borough Council, said: “Please keep an eye out for updates from us. When you receive an email or paper form, please check the information. It takes only a few minutes. A quick response will help us to keep the register accurate and will avoid any further contact from us.

“If you don’t hear from us, you might not be listed on the electoral register. If you want to register, the easiest way is online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. Alternatively, we can send you information in the post explaining how to do this.”

Recent home movers in particular are urged to check their details. Electoral Commission research has found that recent home movers are less likely to be registered than those who have lived at the same address for a long time. In Great Britain, 92% of those who have lived in their home for 16 years will be registered, compared with 36% of people who have lived at an address for less than a year.

Information on registering to vote is available on the Electoral Commission website

Read more information about Woking borough's annual canvass

Residents with questions about their registration status can contact Woking Borough Council’s electoral services team at elections@woking.gov.uk or 01483 755 855.