Don’t lose your vote! Residents urged to check their voter registration details

Cheshire East residents are being urged to check their electoral registration details or risk losing their chance to vote on decisions that will affect them.

With significant elections taking place in Cheshire East next May, this is an opportunity for residents to ensure they can take part. 

There will be elections for all seats on Cheshire East Council on 6th May 2027, as well as for all town and parish councillors in the borough and – for the first time – an elected mayor of the Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority. 

Cheshire East Council provides more than 400 services for residents – including adult and children’s social care, education and school support, waste and recycling collections, planning and building control, libraries, parks and leisure facilities, road maintenance, parking and major infrastructure projects, among others. The council also supports local businesses, community wellbeing and democratic services across the borough. 

The new combined mayoral authority has newly-devolved powers and an investment fund of £650m (over 30 years) for matters including strategic transport, homes and infrastructure, investment, growth, skills and jobs. It will work in partnership with its member local authorities (Cheshire West and Chester Council, Cheshire East Council and Warrington Borough Council) to make our area a better place to live, work and invest, while building a stronger, more connected region.

The annual canvass allows Cheshire East to keep the electoral register up to date, to identify who risks losing their voice at elections and to encourage them to register before it’s too late.

Helen Charlesworth-May, electoral registration officer and acting chief executive at Cheshire East Council, said:

“Please do keep an eye out for important updates from Cheshire East. The annual canvass is our way of making sure that the information on the electoral register for every address is accurate and up to date. 

“To make sure you don’t lose your say at upcoming elections, simply follow the instructions sent to you. If you’re not currently registered, your name will not appear in the messages we send. If you want to register, the easiest way is online at: 

www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

Recent home movers in particular are urged to check their details. Electoral Commission research has found that recent home movers are less likely to be registered than those who have lived at the same address for a long time.

In the UK, 92 per cent of those who have lived in their home for 16 years will be registered, compared with 36 per cent of people who have lived at an address for less than a year.  

Jackie Killeen, director of electoral administration and regulation at the Electoral Commission, said:

“It’s really important that everyone who is eligible to vote is able to do so. We urge people to check for updates from their local council on this year’s canvass. The council may contact residents by post or email. 

“If you are not registered to vote, make sure you provide the necessary information to your local council when asked and register to vote online at:

http://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

Information on registering to vote is available here: 

Electoral Commission website

Residents with questions about their registration status can contact their local council’s electoral services team on:

0300 123 5016