People in Rutland are being reminded to take part in this year's annual canvass of electors and respond if needed, so that they can vote in future elections.

The annual canvass is held between July and December each year to help Rutland County Council to update the local electoral register, by identifying anyone who is missing from the list. Those who are not named can then be offered the chance to register.

People who have moved home recently are particularly encouraged to take part in the canvass and check who is registered to vote at their new address. Research by the Electoral Commission shows that recent home movers are much less likely to be registered than those who have lived at the same address for a long time.

Local councils are required by law to organise and oversee the annual canvass in their area. If you receive a canvass letter with incorrect information, it means the wrong people are registered to vote at your address and you must respond with the correct information as soon as possible.

Letters have now gone to all properties that have not answered an earlier email, and to those households that need to confirm their details with the County Council.

Residents are asked to follow the instructions contained in their letter or email and respond as soon as possible. Councils are required to make repeated attempts to contact electors who do not provide a response to the canvass, including the use of door-to-door canvassers to gather information, which will start from 23 August.