Don't Miss Your Chance to Vote

Forms were sent to Islington's 155,000 eligible voters in August, requesting they confirm the names of all householders over the age of 18.  By law, householders must complete and return the form. Failure to do so may lead to a £1,000 fine.

Cllr Catherine West, leader of Islington Council said:

"We're updating our electoral register and if you’re not on it you can’t vote in elections. 

"Voting is one of the obvious ways residents can make a difference in their community and take up their democratic right.

"And having the power to vote out a government or councillor makes politicians work for the benefit of the many and not the few."

"It's also a legal requirement to get your name on the register so to avoid a hefty fine, do it now."

Islington's electoral services team works to make sure residents are accurately represented on the electoral register as well as running local council, national and by-elections.  

The Annual Voter Registration Campaign aims to address these issues. Each year, households are sent a voter registration form to complete and return. 

Some of the hardest to reach groups for electoral enrolment are young people between the ages of 18-24, some black and minority ethnic groups, and those living in private rented accommodation. 

Events have included promoting registration at university campuses and sixth form colleges.

Those who do not return their form, or give false information, may face a fine of up to £1,000.

But there are other good reasons for getting on the register.  Residents might find it harder to get a credit card, a mortgage or a mobile phone if they fail to register because credit reference agencies use the electoral register to confirm the applicant's address.

The council seeks to update the electoral role regularly so residents can always use their vote.  The next time-tabled elections may not be until the full borough council elections in May 2014 but Islington has had three by-elections in the last 15 months.