North Kesteven residents reminded to make sure of their right to vote

The mail out started on Monday (July 20) and if all the information provided in the letter is correct you may not have to do anything, depending on the form you receive.

If something has changed, you will have to respond or you could lose the right to vote.

Local residents are warned that by not filling in their canvass forms they could lose their democratic voice by not keeping their electoral registration details are up to date.

With elections taking place in the North Kesteven area in May 2021, this is an important opportunity for residents to make sure they can take part.

Leader of the District Council, Coun Richard Wright said: “Typically changes have to be made when another person has moved into or out of a home, someone has celebrated their 18th birthday so is entitled to vote, or someone has turned 76 and so is no longer eligible for jury service.

“By law people must register on the electoral register even if they are not planning to vote and being on the register can also increase an individual’s credit score,” said Coun Wright.

Until now the council was required to send every household a canvass form which had to be responded to whether there were any changes in the household or not.

That is no longer the case. Everyone will still get a letter which NKDC asks that you promptly read and check. If the letter you have received requires a response then you must reply even if the information is correct.

A response must always be made if any information needs to be changed. You can respond by post, but the preferred method is for you to go online at www.householdresponse.com/nkdc.

You can also respond by telephone but due to the challenges of Covid-19 there could be a longer response and waiting time than usual.

Coun Wright said: “The council is working hard to observe public health guidelines including social distancing. I am urging people to respond to the Register letter as quickly as they can so we will not have to send out a canvasser – which we are required to by law – and so reduce the risk of infection for us all.

“Responding to the canvass online is by far the best method although if this is really not possible you can use the phone or post,” said Coun Wright.

Ian Fytche, Electoral Registration Officer at North Kesteven District Council said: “It’s important that residents keep an eye out for messages from North Kesteven so we

can make sure we have the right details on the electoral register for every address in the North Kesteven area.

“To make sure you are able to have your say at elections taking place next year for the Lincolnshire Police and Crime Commissioner and Lincolnshire County Council, simply

follow the instructions in the correspondence sent to your house.

“If you’re not currently registered, your name will not appear in the messages we send. If you want to register, the easiest way is online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote, or we’ll send you information explaining how to do this in the post.

“This year’s canvass, which we have to carry out by law, is taking place during a challenging public health situation. We are working to ensure that we take account of

public health guidelines, including the continued importance of social distancing.”

People who have moved recently are particularly encouraged to look out for the voter registration messages from North Kesteven District Council and check the details.

Research by the 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 time.

Across Great Britain, 92 per cent of people who have been at their property for more than 16 years will be registered, compared to 36 per cent of people who have lived at an address for less than one year.

Melanie Davidson, Head of Support and Improvement at the Electoral Commission, said: “It’s really important that everyone who is entitled to vote is able to do so. Making sure you provide the necessary information to your local authority when it is needed will ensure the process runs smoothly.

“This is particularly helpful in the current public health situation, as it will help avoid the need for home visits from canvassers.

“There’s lots of helpful information about registering to vote on our website https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter.”

Any residents who have any questions can contact their local registration team at North Kesteven District Council.

Elections for the Lincolnshire Police and Crime Commissioner and Lincolnshire County Council are taking place in the North Kesteven area in May 2021.