Residents in Shetland are being urged to check their electoral registration details or risk losing their chance to vote on decisions that affect them.
With Shetland Islands Council elections taking place in May 2027, this is an opportunity for residents to make sure they can take part.
Householders should recently have received the annual canvass, either by email or a form through the post. The annual canvass allows the electoral register to be brought up to date, to identify who risks losing their voice at elections, and to encourage them to register before it’s too late.
Residents with questions about their registration status can contact the Electoral Registration Office at 20 Commercial Road, Lerwick on 01595 745700 or by email to ero@shetland.gov.uk
Robert Eunson, Electoral Registration Officer for Orkney and Shetland said:
“Keep an eye out for important updates you will have received from our office. The annual canvass is our way of making sure that the information on the electoral register for every address is accurate and up to date. To make sure you don’t lose your say at upcoming elections, if you have not done so already, simply follow the instructions sent to you. It’s important that everyone who is eligible to vote is able to do so.
“We urge people to check for updates from our office on this year’s canvass. You may be contacted by post, by email or someone may knock on your door. If you’re not currently registered, your name will not appear in the messages or forms we send.
“To register, make sure you provide the necessary information to us when asked and register to vote online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote”
Information on registering to vote is available on the Electoral Commission website
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.
- The electoral register lists the names and addresses of everyone who is registered to vote. The register is used for electoral purposes, such as making sure only eligible people can vote. It is also used for other reasons as specified in law, such as detecting crime (e.g. fraud), calling people for jury service or checking credit applications.
- The open register is an extract of the electoral register but is not used for elections. It can be bought by any person, company or organisation. For example, it is used by businesses and charities to confirm name and address details. Your name and address will be included in the open register unless you ask for them to be removed. Removing your details from the open register does not affect your right to vote.
- To be eligible to register to vote a person must be:
- aged 14 or over (a person may register to vote at 14, but may not vote in devolved elections until they are 16)
- British, Irish, Commonwealth, EU and qualifying foreign citizens resident in Scotland aged 16 or over can vote in local and Scottish Parliament elections in Scotland.
- British, Irish and qualifying Commonwealth citizens aged 18 or over can vote in UK general elections.