Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

Don't lose your chance to vote during the next twelve months.

Canvassers will hit doorsteps from this Saturday to give local people the final chance to register to vote in the forthcoming General Election.

Electoral registration forms were sent out to all 200,000 households in Wiltshire at the end of August and so far, 60% have responded. First reminder letters have been sent to 80,000 properties in Wiltshire whose occupants have not yet completed and returned their annual electoral registration form.

Starting this weekend, personal canvassers will be calling at any properties that have yet to respond to the campaign, asking householders to complete the form on the doorstep. Many calls will be during the evening and weekends and, if they fail to get a reply, they will call again.

“If you’re not registered to vote, then you can’t make a decision about who represents you at a local, national or European level” said John Watling, electoral services manager at Wiltshire Council. “All you have to do is complete the annual canvass form and you’ll be able to help choose the people that make the decisions which affect your everyday life.”

The purpose of completing the registration form is so that an accurate register of electors can be published on 1st December. People included on the new electoral register will be able to vote in the forthcoming general election.

The council’s trading standards team are reminding people to check for ID, just in case someone uses the electoral roll canvass as a front for criminal activity. All legitimate electoral roll canvassers will wear visible identification, and are instructed not to enter any homes.