Local residents to receive important voter registration information

Households in Stratford-on-Avon District will soon be receiving a form (HEF)* asking residents to check whether the information that appears on the electoral register for those living at their address is correct as part of Stratford-on-Avon District Council's annual voter registration canvass.  

The aim of the form is to ensure that the electoral register is up to date and to identify any residents who are not registered so that they can be encouraged to do so.

If there are no changes residents can respond by:

• calling 0800 197 9871
• visiting www.registerbyinternet.com/stratforddc and
• for the first time by texting NOCHANGE and a code to 80212. 

Each HEF will contain its own security code and residents will need these codes when responding via one of these methods. 

Alternatively if residents are not able to respond these ways, they can return the form by post to the Council offices in the pre-paid envelope provided.

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.

With the Police and Crime Commissioner elections taking place across Warwickshire in May 2016 and the possibility of the EU Referendum later in the year, this is an opportunity for residents to make sure that when the elections take place they will easily be able to take part.

Darren Whitney, Deputy Electoral Registration Officer at Stratford-on-Avon District Council said: “Anyone that wants to vote must be registered. To make sure you are able to have your say at the elections next year, simply check the form when it arrives and return it as promptly as possible.  If you're not currently registered, we'll send you information explaining how to do this or you can just go online to apply to register at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.

“It is essential that the District Council has the correct information about each household.  This means more residents at future elections will be able to participate and place their vote.  Please can all residents complete the Household Enquiry Forms as soon as possible to avoid reminder letters being issued or canvassers calling at a property, which all adds more costs to the District Council."

It is particularly important that anyone who has moved address recently looks out for the form and checks whether they are registered.

Research by the independent Electoral Commission indicates that across Great Britain, recent home movers are far less likely to be registered than those that have lived at the same address for a long time. The research showed that 94% of people who have been at their property for more than sixteen years will be registered compared to 40% of people who have lived at an address for less than one year.

The same research indicates that whilst almost 95% of outright home owners are registered, this is the case for only 63% of private renters.

Kay Jenkins, Head of English regions at the Electoral Commission said: “The annual canvass is an opportunity for people to easily check whether they're registered. It's essential for a healthy democracy that everyone who is entitled to vote is able to, and for those who need to registering is now easier than ever with the online system of registration."

“If you have changed address in the last year, it's particularly likely that you will need to register at your new address, so check the form as soon as it arrives."

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

1. Each household in the District will receive a *Household Enquiry Form (HEF).  These will outline who is currently registered to vote in the household, it is not a registration form.
   
   
2. The HEFs will be posted out week commencing Monday 3 August.
    
   
3. 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.
   
   
4. The open register is an extract of the electoral register, but is not used for elections. It can be bought by any person, company or organisation. For example, it is used by businesses and charities to confirm name and address details. Your name and address will be included in the open register unless you ask for them to be removed. Removing your details from the open register does not affect your right to vote.
   
   
5. 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.
   
   
6. 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.
   
   
7. Full details of the Electoral Commission's research on the electoral registers can be found here.