All 220,000 Manchester households will receive annual electoral registration forms in the next few days, from Friday 1 June.
The Electoral Register is usually published in December every year but this year publication is being brought forward to enable the register to be used for the Greater Manchester Police and Crime Commissioner elections on Thursday 15 November 2012.
By law, every household is required to respond to the annual electoral registration form every year - even if people have registered to vote recently. The deadline for responding is Monday, 2 July.
As well as losing the right to vote, failure to return a completed form may also make it difficult for people to obtain credit because credit reference agencies use the register when they assess credit ratings.
You are not automatically registered to vote even if you are paying council tax as it is a separate legal process.
Sir Howard Bernstein, Electoral Registration Officer for Manchester, said: "Some people may not realise that they have to register every year. Registering to vote is quick and simple – if your details haven't changed you can simply register by text, phone or online in less than 60 seconds.
"As well as enabling people to take part in elections and referenda, it is also a legal requirement for every household to complete their form.
"We'd encourage everyone to ensure they have provided their details as soon as possible."
For more information about annual electoral registration and voting, call the Electoral Registration Helpline on 0161 234 1212 or visit www.manchester.gov.uk/elections.
If you have not received your electoral registration form by 12 June please contact 0161 234 1212 or email esu@manchester.gov.uk