Thousands of people in Gateshead are denying themselves a chance to speak out on the way decisions about their community are taken.
Around 30,000 households in the borough are currently excluding themselves from voting in local, national and European elections – simply because they haven’t registered to vote.
Now, Gateshead Council is urging those households to return the form that was sent to them in August to ensure they are eligible to vote in future elections.
Gateshead Council is required to compile a new register of voters every year, and to do so it sends out registration forms – called Annual Canvass Forms - every August to every household in Gateshead. By completing and returning this form, residents can make sure they are included on the new electoral register and are therefore able to vote in forthcoming elections.
However, although the forms were sent out in August, around 30,000 households in Gateshead have so far failed to return them. So, with the deadline only 2 weeks away, Gateshead Council is urging residents to complete the forms and send them back.
Councillor Mick Henry, Leader of Gateshead Council, says: “The right to vote is one of our most basic human rights, and a key part of a democratic process. But more than that, it’s crucial if we are serious about creating communities that people genuinely feel part of.
“We are urging local people to return their canvass form as soon as possible before the 15 October deadline.
“All you have to do is complete the annual canvass form that has been delivered through your letterbox, and then you’ll be able to help choose the people who make decisions that affect your everyday life.”
Local residents are reminded that even if the information on the canvass form has not changed, householders will still need to complete and return the form to confirm that the information held by Gateshead Council in the Electoral Register is correct.
British, Irish, qualifying Commonwealth and EU citizens are eligible to join the electoral register, and although you cannot vote until you are 18, you can still be included on the electoral register from the age of 16.
Gateshead Council will publish its new register on or before 1 December 2008.
Anyone with questions about the Electoral Register or the Annual Canvass of Voters should contact Electoral Registration at Gateshead Civic Centre on (0191) 433 2166 or (0191) 433 2151