With Mayoral and London elections – and even a possible European Union in/out referendum – set for next year, would-be voters in Haringey are being urged to make sure they’re registered to vote or risk missing out. As changes to the voter registration system enter their second phase, Haringey Council is leading a drive to get as many people as possible signed up to the electoral roll. Official household enquiry forms will be landing on doormats across the borough from this week.
These forms include current known details of everyone registered to vote at the address, and it’s essential that someone in the household confirms whether these details are correct. Failure to do so could even lead to a fine. Simply returning the household enquiry form is no longer enough to guarantee each voter is registered – individuals must take responsibility for their own registration.
If details are correct, this can be easily confirmed online, by text or by phone. If there are any changes to the details, or additional voters to add, this can be done online and any new voters will be sent a separate invitation to register – they must ensure they then sign up to secure their right to vote.
Electoral registration canvassers will be going door-to-door across Haringey this autumn to follow-up any unreturned forms. The latest push for registration follows this year’s individual electoral registration campaign – which saw around 15,000 extra voters sign up in Haringey in time for the General Election. Although there are no further elections until 2016, it’s important that the register is up-to-date in time for this December, when the total number of registered voters will help guide a national review of constituency boundaries.
Haringey Returning Officer Nick Walkley said: “Although it may feel like just a few short months since we were last calling on people to join the electoral register, it’s really important that people take the time now to make sure they are registered. Completing the forms only takes a few minutes and is the best way to guarantee you’ll have a vote in any future elections.”
