Thanet District Council is warning residents who have moved house that their chance to vote in this year's General Election may have been lost in the move, unless they take action.
"That's because when you change address, you need to re-register with your new details," explains Richard Samuel, Electoral Registration Officer. "Just because you are paying Council Tax at your new address doesn't automatically mean that you will be on the electoral register there, you need to contact us separately. This applies whether you have bought your home or whether are renting."
It only takes a few minutes to re-register. All you need to do is print off a registration form from www.aboutmyvote.co.uk and return the completed form to Electoral Services, Thanet District Council, Council Offices, Cecil Street, Margate, Kent, CT9 1XZ. The website, by the independent elections watchdog, the Electoral Commission, also has details of different ways of voting in elections. You can also phone Electoral Services on (01843) 577500 for information.
"With a General Election due to take place by June at the latest, I'd encourage everyone entitled to vote to take a few minutes now to make sure they are registered to do so," says Electoral Commission Regional Manager Phillippa Saray.
"A General Election can be called at short notice, so don't wait until the election date has been announced to secure your vote. I'd encourage anyone who has moved house, or who is going to do so soon, to make sure registering to vote is on their list of things to do, along with telling utility suppliers and others of their new address. If you are not registered, you can't vote, it's as simple as that."
You can register to vote as a British, Irish or qualifying Commonwealth citizen. You can also register if you are an EU citizen resident in the UK, as you are eligible to vote in local elections, but not the General Election. British citizens living abroad can also register to vote, as long as they have been on the electoral register at a UK address no more than 15 years ago. There are also special provisions for those serving abroad to vote - for more information, go to www.aboutmyvote.co.uk Although you cannot vote until you are 18, you can join the electoral register from the age of 16.
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