Residents urged to register to vote

10.33.40am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 18th Aug 2005

Richmond Council has begun its build up towards the 2006 local elections, which are on 4 May 2006. The Council has issued a cross party call to residents to register early and ensure they use can vote.

Richmond upon Thames has one of the highest turnouts at local elections in England. Liberal Democrats are keen that the vote should be even higher, especially in view of the large votes in the General Election when Vincent Cable and Susan Kramer were returned resoundingly as MPs.

Annual registration forms, which must be completed by law, are being sent out to all households from 1st September. It is very important that everyone fills in the form. If anyone has not received a form by the middle of September they should contact Electoral Services. It is quite possible to be registered to pay Council Tax, but not to be on the Electoral register. If you are not on the electoral register, you cannot vote.

Cllr Serge Lourie, Leader of the Liberal Democrat group on Richmond Council said:

"Using your right to vote goes beyond party political divisions. The more people vote and are engaged, the stronger we are as a local government and the better we can all work on behalf of residents. We urge everyone to make sure they register and then make sure they vote. We are fortunate to have a great democratic system in this country - it is important we continue to use it."

The Electoral Services Department of the Council can be contacted on

020 8891 7775 or email electoral.services@richmond.gov.uk or visit www.richmond.gov.uk/vote