Simple steps for residents to register

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.

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

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

• by texting NOCHANGE and a code to 80212