Islington Council is warning residents who have not already done so that the deadline for registering to vote in May's local council elections is about to arrive.
The deadline for voter registration is 5pm Monday 13 March, and residents who do not register before then will not be able to vote on local issues that could affect the way they live.
Council staff have been running a co-ordinated campaign since August last year to get people to register well before the 13th March deadline.
Teams of canvassers have been hand-delivering registration forms to every residential address in Islington, and returning again and again to canvass areas with lower response levels. Canvassers have made at least three attempts to personally visit residents from households where there had previously been no response, to make sure they had the information and opportunity to sign up. The message has been reinforced by advertising on lamp-posts and bus shelters and in the local cinema.
Since the canvassing began in August last year, over three quarters of Islington's eligible population have now responded to the Council's voter registration activities.
Islington's one-stop call centre, Contact Islington, has been reminding everyone who calls in of the imminent deadline, and has been making sure that registration forms are sent out straight away to those who need them. They have been taking registrations confirming that there has been no-change over the phone since October. Those who are already registered, were also able to confirm a "no change" response by using a 24 hour telephone hotline, online via the website, or by email, as well as by post or fax.
Cllr George Allan, executive member for customer focus said: "We want everyone eligible to register, and we're now at the deadline for registering to vote in the local elections in May.
We've made it easier than ever to make sure that you have your right to vote."
For more information, residents should call Electoral Services on 020 7527 3110 or visit www.islington.gov.uk/voting
ENDS
Page Last Updated: 29 July 2008