Residents urged to check voter registration details

Residents are being asked to check their electoral registration details ahead of local elections in May 2027.

Rochdale Borough Council has sent follow-up letters to households as part of its annual canvass.

The annual canvass is used to check that information held on the electoral register for each address remains accurate and up to date.

Over the summer, the council sent emails to residents at more than 40,000 properties asking them to check their details and make changes where necessary.

Follow-up letters have now been sent.

Edward McCreadie, elections manager at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “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.

“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 at rochdale.gov.uk/RegisterToVote.”

People who have recently moved home are being particularly encouraged to check their registration.

Electoral Commission research cited by the council found 92 per cent of people who have lived at the same address for 16 years are registered, compared with 36 per cent of those who have lived at an address for less than a year.

Residents can be added to the electoral register from the age of 16 but cannot vote until they are 18.

More information about the annual canvass is available at www.rochdale.gov.uk/AnnualCanvass. Residents can also email elections@rochdale.gov.uk or call 0300 303 0345.