This in from the council, in their own words. Ed
On 15 November this year new police and crime commissioners will be elected for England and Wales – including a commissioner for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight police force area.
To make sure the Island’s register of electors is as accurate as possible for the November election, the annual canvass was brought forward, and voter registration forms are being delivered to all 70,000 residential properties on the Island from this week.
The updated register will be published in October and will also be used for the elections to the Isle of Wight Council and town and parish councils in May 2013.
Form must be returned
The registration form allows people to make changes to the names of those registered as electors at their address – and even if there have been no changes to the people living in your household, it is vital the form is returned.
If the form is not returned, your name could be removed from the register and you would not be able to vote for your choice of commissioner.
Important to register
Remember, increasingly the register of electors is used to check people’s identity when they apply for credit, so if you are not registered at your address it may create difficulties.
You also have the right to request your name is excluded from the version of the register (the edited register) which is made available to commercial organisations. Everyone’s name, however, must appear on the full register – but this is only used by certain statutory bodies and organisations, and they are not allowed to pass the details on to other parties.
Register is available to view
The full register can be inspected at customer services, County Hall, Newport.
The canvass form also allows you to request an application form to vote by post.
Forms should be returned by 6 August to avoid a reminder being sent. If your household has not received a form by the end of June, please telephone the council’s Electoral Services office on 821000.
Image: Vignetfishnet under CC BY 2.0
