Voter registration forms will soon be dropping through letterboxes across Stratford-on-Avon District and residents are being urged to return them as soon as possible to make sure their voice is heard not only in next year's District elections but also in the election to the European Parliament both to be held on 22 May next year.
Stratford-on-Avon District Council's Elections team will be sending forms to around 55,000 households in the District over the coming weeks to compile the electoral register.
Normally forms are sent out in August but due to the introduction of Individual Electoral Registration in 2014 the canvass has been moved back to get the most up to date register possible.
Darren Whitney, Stratford District Council's Democratic Services Manager said: “Registering to vote is very simple and should only take a few minutes to complete. All you have to do is update the annual canvass form with the details of everyone in your household who is eligible to vote and return it to us as soon as possible. If your details haven't changed you can also reply by phone or by internet.
Some people may not realise that they have to register every year and you are not automatically entitled to vote because you pay council tax or have voted before. By law, the registration form is required to be completed and returned from all households. Also returning the form or registering by phone or internet quickly will help to keep down costs and reduce the number of reminders that will otherwise have to be sent out.
It is important that you complete your registration so you're able to take part in the upcoming elections enabling you to vote for the people who will make decisions that affect your everyday life."
On the electoral registration form residents can opt to have their details excluded from the edited register. If you wish to opt out, even if you have done so in the past, you must tick the box in the relevant column or follow the instructions on the phone or internet. This will mean that details cannot be bought by individuals and commercial organisations. If you wish to opt out on a permanent basis you must make this clear on the form or contact the District Council for more information.
For further information or if you haven't received your form after 18 October please contact the District Council on 01789 260208.
- The annual canvass takes place every autumn but is being held back to the introduction of Individual Electoral Registration next year. A revised electoral register is usually published by 1 December but this year will be published on 17 February.
- Around 55,000 forms are being sent to District households at the beginning of October. If responses have still not been received by December, canvassers will have to visit individual households to check information currently held on the electoral register is correct.
- Forms must be completed by law or be liable to a fine of £1,000.
- The register is also used by Credit Reference Agencies and if you are not registered you may experience problems obtaining credit such as a mortgage, personal loan or even a mobile phone.
- You can only vote if your name appears in the register of electors and you are aged 18 or over on polling day. Any eligible person over the age of 16 can register to vote but must be 18 or over on polling day.
- Special provisions to register also apply to members of the UK armed forces serving abroad to allow them to vote. For more information, go to www.aboutmyvote.co.uk
- There are two versions of the electoral register – the full and edited registers. Only certain people and organisations can have copies of the full register and can only use it for specified reasons. The edited register can be bought by anyone who asks for it and can be used for any purpose, including direct marketing.
