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 each household, were posted out to every property in the District.  However, although 56,000 HEFs were sent out – there are still somewhere in the region of 24,000 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 find that it affects 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 obtain this information. This involves sending a canvasser 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 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.

David Dalby, Electoral Registration Officer 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. County Council Elections take place in May next year and it's possible that a General Election could be announced at any time."

“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 simple and convenient."

It is extremely simple to respond. If there are no changes, residents can respond by:
 

• calling 0800 197 9871; or
• by visiting www.registerbyinternet.com/stratforddc; or
• 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.

Any residents who have any questions can contact the District Council's elections team on 01789 260208.
 

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 by 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.