People who live in Rutland are being encouraged to take part in the County's latest annual canvass, to make sure they can vote in future elections.

The annual canvass is held between July and December each year and helps 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 complete a registration process.

With Police and Crime Commissioner Elections taking place in May 2021, this is an important opportunity for residents to make sure they can take part.

Helen Briggs, Electoral Registration Officer at Rutland County Council, said:"It's important that residents keep an eye out for messages about the canvass so we can make sure we have the right details on the electoral register for every address in Rutland.

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

People who have moved home recently are particularly encouraged to look out for the voter registration messages and check who is registered to vote at their new address. 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.

Local councils are required by law to organise and oversee the annual canvass in their area.

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."

Depending on what contact information you have provided to the council previously, you will receive an email or a letter asking you to take part in the canvass. Emails are due to go out in early July, with paper canvass forms following in the post from around 20th July onwards.

If you do receive an email about the canvass it will only come from the following secure email address: [email protected]

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.

Further information about registering to vote can be found online at: www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter

If you have any questions about the annual canvass you can contact Rutland County Council's local registration team by emailing: [email protected] or calling: 01572 720954.