WYRE Forest residents are being urged to check their electoral registration details or risk losing their chance to vote on decisions that affect them. 

The annual canvass allows Wyre Forest District Council to keep the electoral register up to date, to identify who risks losing their voice at elections, and to encourage them to register before it’s too late. 

Ian Miller, Wyre Forest District Council’s Electoral Registration Officer, said: “Keep an eye out for important updates from the council.

"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, simply follow the instructions sent to you.

"Next May we have elections for the Police and Crime Commissioner for West Mercia and for Kidderminster Town Council – and there will almost certainly be a general election during 2024 so it’s important to make sure that you are registered.

“If you’re not currently registered, your name will not appear in the messages we send. 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 per cent of those who have lived in their home for 16 years will be registered, compared with 36 per cent of people who have lived at an address for less than a year. 

Information on registering to vote is available on the Electoral Commission website. 

Residents with questions about their registration status can contact their local council’s electoral services team at electoral@wyreforestdc.gov.uk or call 01562 732733.