Residents in Stratford-on-Avon District who have yet to be confirmed on the new electoral register will be visited by Stratford District Council officers reminding them of the importance of submitting their details.
Although residents are not obliged to vote in the election, it is a legal requirement that their details are submitted for inclusion on the register as it is used to provide credit checks and jury service selection.
Darren Whitney, Stratford-on-Avon District Council's Democratic Services Manager says: “It is vital that every domestic property in the District returns a completed household enquiry form. 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. Not only could any omissions cost them the right to vote in next year's elections, but it could also affect their credit rating and have serious repercussions for things such as mortgages, phone contract and credit card applications.
“We've had a good response so far, but we've already had to spend an additional £7,500 sending reminders to non-responding households and now these personal visits will be at a further cost to the District tax payer."
At the beginning of August, 55,000 Household Enquiry Forms (HEF), outlining who is currently registered to vote in the household, were posted out to every household in the District.
In September, reminder letters were sent and visits will now be made to the 13,787 households whose details are still outstanding.
From 9 October, Stratford District Council officers will visit residents at home to ask them to complete their details. Residents will be asked to complete the HEF form and maybe an invitation to register as well, for this their date of birth and national insurance number will be required to confirm their identity for the register. Officers will be identifiable with photographic identification which can be confirmed by calling the District Council on 01789 260208.
For more information or to register details online visit www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. Alternatively please call 01789 260208 to register over the phone.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
