VOTERS in Stroud are being encouraged to make sure they have a voice in upcoming elections.

Stroud District Council is leading a drive to encourage as many voters as possible to sign up to the electoral register.

A new system of ‘individual sign ups’ means thousands of voters are no longer on the lists.

With local and police & crime commissioner elections being held in May this year and a possible EU referendum this year, everyone over the age of 18 who wishes to vote will need to be on the electoral register.

Staff from Stroud District Council’s elections team will be at the Subscription Rooms in Stroud from 1–5pm on Thursday February 11 so that people can check if they are on the register.

The aim is to get as many residents, particularly young people, to register as possible and make their vote count.

Aside from being unable to vote, not being on the register can also have an impact on a person’s ability to obtain credit – even for everyday services such as utilities or mobile phone contracts.

The team will also be able to process new applications as long as a National Insurance number is provided as proof of ID.

All households in Stroud are being sent postcards reminding them to sign the electoral register in time for the elections on Thursday, May 5.

An estimated 800,000 people have dropped off the electoral register since the new system of individual sign-ups was introduced, according to Labour.

The Government previously defended the decision to finalise the individual electoral registration (IER) change in time for polls in May this year, saying it would remove ‘phantom voters’ and reduce electoral fraud.

Elections for the Gloucestershire Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) will take place on Thursday 5 May 2016.

In the Stroud District electoral area these elections will be combined with the local elections for 51 district councillors in 27 district wards and parish/town council elections.

You can register to vote online at gov.uk/register-to-vote