Don’t lose your vote – residents in Shetland are urged to check their voter registration details are up to date.
Local residents are being urged to check their electoral registration details or risk losing their chance to vote on decisions that affect them.
The Electoral Registration Officer is getting in touch with every household to check that the electoral register is up to date, and to identify any residents who should be registered but are currently missing.
Ian Leslie, Depute Electoral Registration Officer for Orkney & Shetland, said: “Keep an eye out for our letter. The annual canvass is our way of making sure that the information on the electoral register for every address is accurate. To make sure you don’t lose your say at the next election, look out for instructions from us.
“If you don’t hear from us, you might not be on the register. If you want to register, the easiest way is online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.”
Recent home movers in particular are urged to check their details. Electoral Commission research has found that recent home movers are less likely to be registered than those who have lived at the same address for a long time.
In Great Britain, 92% of those who have lived in their home for 16 years will be registered, compared with 36% of people who have lived at an address for less than a year. It is also important to note that all nationalities are eligible to vote in local elections in Scotland.
Andy O’Neill, Head of the Electoral Commission in Scotland, said: “It’s really important that everyone who is eligible to vote is able to do so. We urge people to look out for updates from their Electoral Registration Officer on this year’s canvass. If you are not registered to vote, make sure you provide the necessary information to your Electoral Registration Officer when asked.”
Information on registering to vote is available on the Electoral Commission website. Any residents who have questions can contact the Electoral Registration Office at 20 Commercial Road, Lerwick, Shetland, ZE1 0LX – telephone 01595 745700 or email
Notes to editors
- The Representation of the People Act 1983 places a duty on electoral registration officers to maintain the electoral register for their area and to conduct an annual canvass of all residential properties.
- Full details on who can vote in elections in Scotland can be found here
- Full details of the Electoral Commission’s research on the electoral registers can be found on its website.