Register of Electors canvass reminder

Letters are being sent out to Stratford-on-Avon District households this week to remind residents to register to vote as part of the annual register of electors canvass.

At the beginning of August, Household Enquiry Forms (HEF), outlining who is currently registered to vote in the household, were posted out to every household in the District.  However, although 55,000 HEFs were sent out – there are still somewhere in the region of 22,000 to be returned.  Reminders, which are a legal requirement to non-responding households, are currently dropping through letter boxes costing the tax payer an additional £7,500

Completing the annual register is a legal requirement and by not giving the information residents could affect their voting rights, credit ratings and they could be fined up to £1,000.

Following the reminder, if a return is not made, the District Council is required by law to get this information and an inspector will be sent to any property which has not returned the form to obtain the information, resulting in further costs for the District Council and tax payer.

Failure to return a completed form may mean that your details are not included on the electoral register. People who are not on the register will not be able to vote at parliamentary elections, local elections, the Police and Crime Commissioner elections, future European Referendum elections and the new Neighbourhood Planning referendums. It may also make it difficult for people to obtain credit, secure a mortgage or even a mobile phone agreement because credit reference agencies use the register when they check credit ratings. No one is automatically registered to vote even if they are paying council tax. Anyone who hasn't already confirmed their details or returned their form is being encouraged to do so immediately. Darren Whitney, Democratic Services Manager at Stratford-on-Avon District Council says: “It is vital that every domestic property in the District returns a completed household enquiry form as soon as possible. The District Council has to carry out an annual canvass each year and it is a legal requirement for residents to provide the information requested.

“Voting is an opportunity to have your say on important issues which affect your everyday life.  We've had a good response so far, but I'm urging all households who haven't yet replied to their electoral registration forms to respond as soon as possible. There are several different ways for residents to complete the forms which make it as simple and convenient as possible.

“If there is no response following the reminder letter, canvassers will be sent in person to chase up households at a further cost to the District tax payer."

If there are changes to be made, for example if someone has recently moved in or out of the household, residents can confirm these changes using their security codes by visiting www.registerbyinternet.com/stratforddc or they can outline changes on the form and return it by the post.

Any residents who have any questions can contact the District Council's elections team on 01789 260608.

1. Each household in the District was sent a *Household Enquiry Form (HEF) at the beginning of August.  These will outline who is currently registered to vote in the household, it is not a registration form. New residents will be asked to complete a registration by completing a further form or going on-line.
2. The electoral register lists the names and addresses of everyone who is registered to vote in public elections. The register is used for electoral purposes, such as making sure only eligible people can vote. It is also used for other limited purposes specified in law, such as: • detecting crime (e.g. fraud) • calling people for jury service • checking credit applications.
3. To be eligible to register to vote in England a person must be:
   Aged 16 or over (a person may register to vote at 16, but may not vote until they are 18).
   A British or qualifying Commonwealth citizen who has leave to enter and remain in the UK or does not require such leave.
   A citizen of the Republic of Ireland or other European Union (EU) member state.

British citizens, Irish citizens and qualifying citizens of Commonwealth countries (including Cyprus and Malta), as well as citizens of other EU member states can vote in local government elections and Police and Crime Commissioner elections in England and Wales.