Officers to knock doors to get residents' electoral registration details - The Stratford Observer

Officers to knock doors to get residents' electoral registration details

Stratford Editorial 9th Oct, 2015 Updated: 28th Oct, 2016   0

THOUSANDS of voters in Stratford district can expect a knock on the door soon.

More than 13,000 residents have failed to respond to reminders to submit their details on the new electoral register with Stratford District Council.

Residents are not obliged to vote in elections but it is a legal requirement for them to be on the register as it is used to provide credit checks and jury service selection.

At the beginning of August, 55,000 Household Enquiry Forms (HEFs) – outlining who is currently registered to vote in the household – were posted to every household in the district.




A month later, reminder letters were sent out – at a cost of £7,500 to the taxpayer – and visits will now be made to the 13,787 remaining households whose details are still outstanding.

Democratic services manager, Darren Whitney, said: “It is vital every domestic property in the district returns a completed HEF.


“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 their say on important issues affect their 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 these personal visits will be at a further cost to the taxpayer.”

District council officers, who will be identifiable with photographic ID, are set to visit residents from Friday (October 9).

Residents will be asked to complete the HEF and will need their date of birth and national insurance number to confirm their identity.

Visit www.gov.uk/register-to-vote or call 01789 260208 to register to vote.

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