Local residents will be receiving letters next week reminding them to make sure their electoral registration details are up to date so that they can vote in the May 2022 elections.

Secretary of State for Local Government Robert Jenrick recently decided to replace all five councils in Somerset with a single unitary council in Apriil 2023. A new shadow authority will be in place by next May.

Any residents not currently registered afre advised to do so online at gov.uk/register-to-vote, or Somerset West and Taunton Council’s (SWT) electoral services team can send information explaining how to do this in the post.

The team can be contacted on 01823 358692 or email [email protected].

People who have moved recently are particularly encouraged to look out for their letters and to check the details.

Research by the Electoral Commission, published in 2019, indicates that recent home movers are far less likely to be registered than those who have lived at the same address for a long time.

Melanie Davidson, Head of Support and Improvement at the Electoral Commission, said: “It’s really important that everyone who is entitled to vote is able to do so.”

Information on registering to vote is available on the Electoral Commission website.

For more detailed information, visit the council’s ‘annual canvas’ webpage.