Somerset residents are being reminded to review their electoral registration details to ensure they don't lose the opportunity to have their say in matters that impact them.

As part of the annual canvass, Somerset Council is updating the electoral register to identify residents at risk of losing their voting rights, encouraging them to register before time runs out.

By law, the Council is obligated to carry out an annual canvass across all residential properties in the county. The aim is to guarantee the electoral register for each address is both accurate and current. An initial wave of letters is now being dispatched to 83,000 households across Somerset. Additional correspondence will be sent to remaining households later this month. So, if you haven't received a letter yet, there's no need for concern. These letters will be addressed to the current occupiers and provide complete guidance on what steps to take next.

Should you inform the Council of any new eligible voters at your address, an 'invitation to register form' will be sent via post or email, if provided. Online registration is also an option through the government website.

The Council particularly urges recent home movers to double-check their details. Research from the Electoral Commission shows that individuals who've recently changed addresses are less likely to be registered. Specifically, while 92% of residents who have lived at the same address for 16 years are registered, the figure drops dramatically to 36% for those who have lived at their current address for less than a year.