Don't lose your right to vote - it's canvass time!

Stratford-on-Avon District Council is urging local residents to return their electoral registration form to ensure that they don't lose their right to vote as reminders are sent out this week to householders who have not yet registered.

At total of 54,099 forms were sent out at the end of August and so far 38,556 have been returned.

Darren Whitney, Democratic Services Manager at Straford-on-Avon District Council says: "It is vital that people respond to this request for information, people must register by law - even if they do not wish to vote.  If people fail to return their forms, then reminders are sent out and may result in us having to send someone to the house to collect the data we need. Ultimately failure to complete the forms could result in a fine of up to £1,000."

"The vast majority of our households in the District are unchanged and in these cases residents can help us to save money on postage, and speed up the process, by confirming the details using the freephone, internet or by texting, which are all quick and easy to use.  We have received a number of compliments about the service and how simple it is to use for those whose details have not changed."

Over 16,000 households have registered using text, the internet or the freephone number. 

Some of the comments received include:

• Easy, efficient online registration system.
• What a brilliant system and so simple to do. Thank You.
• Couldn't be more simple saves postage.

For more information or enquiries about the Register of Electors form please contact the Electoral Services Helpline on 01789 260208.

• All British, Commonwealth, Irish and European Union citizens over the age of 16 are required to give their names and addresses, so that they can be included on the register, which will be published on 1 December 2010. The forms enable local residents to be included on the electoral register and to vote in any forthcoming elections. Next year, this will include District and Parish Council elections and probably the Referendum on the Alternative Vote method.
• If no changes to the information on the electoral register are needed, then people can use either a freephone telephone, internet or text service, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week throughout the registration period. All the details are on the voter registration form.
• The register is also used by Credit Reference Agencies and if you are not registered you mat experience problems obtaining credit.