Residents across North Yorkshire are being reminded to check they are registered to vote at their address so that everyone who has the right to take part in upcoming elections can have their say on decisions that affect them.

Like all UK local authorities, every year North Yorkshire Council’s elections team is required by law to confirm whether the details held on the electoral register are correct. This is known as the annual canvass.

Households with teenagers should be aware that the electoral register can be important for getting a credit rating, which is required when applying for a mobile phone contract or credit card. From age 16 British citizens and qualifying Commonwealth or EU citizens living in the UK can be added.

The letter or email people receive from the council will set out what they need to do, and recipients are asked to respond as soon as possible to prevent costly reminders being posted out.

Households that have not responded before mid-October should expect a visit from someone to get the information needed in person.

Anyone concerned about the risk of scams should be reassured that the council will never ask for bank details as part of the annual canvass. There are also examples of the forms online, so people know what questions to expect.

A revised register will be published on 1 December. Find out more about the annual canvass in North Yorkshire and registering to vote at www.northyorks.gov.uk/annualcanvass