Residents urged to make sure they are on the electoral register
Residents in
the Scarborough borough are urged to make sure they are on the
electoral register – or risk missing the opportunity to vote in the
elections for Police and Crime Commissioners which may take place
in May 2012 if the legislation is passed by central government.
Pre-printed canvass forms
are now being delivered to every residential property in the
borough to enable residents to check their electoral register
details.
The council has to carry out
an annual canvass each year and it is a legal requirement for
residents to provide the information requested. If residents do not
return their forms or confirm their registration electronically
they may find that their names have been removed from the register
and will be unable to vote at parish, borough, county and general
elections.
Residents who are not on the
register of electors may also experience difficulties obtaining
credit or opening a bank account.
In an attempt to save costs
the council will not be sending out reminder forms this year, so it
is essential that residents send back their forms to avoid being
removed from the register of electors.
If all the information is
correct, residents can simply confirm their details by calling the
freephone number, printed on the canvass form, or use the internet
by using the security codes provided on the form. There is also an
opportunity for people to confirm their entry is correct with a
simple text message.
Anyone who wants to change
their details such as deleting the names of people who no longer
live in the property or adding the names of people who are now
eligible to vote, will need to cross the pre-printed names out, add
their own details, sign and date the form and send it back in the
pre-paid envelope.
Residents should remember to
add the names of any 16 or 17 year olds so that they are eligible
to vote as soon as they become 18. Young adults whose names are on
the register of electors will receive a birthday card and
information booklet encouraging them to take part in the democratic
process when they become 18.
Residents will also be asked
if they mind their details on the register being passed on to
people who use the list for commercial purposes. Residents who do
not want their details being passed on to third parties should tick
the “opt out” box on the form. People using the internet or
telephone response service will also be able to “opt out”.
A copy of the full
register will still be used by electoral services and by credit
checking agencies.
Sue Bedford, Scarborough
Borough Council’s Elections Officer encourages residents to use the
SMS text messaging service, freephone number and the internet.
She said: “Providing all
details are unchanged it is quick, simple and free for residents,
it also helps the council to cut down on administration, saving
time and money. We hope more people will take advantage of
these services this year.
“We also urge residents to
deal with the form as soon as it arrives. The more people that deal
with their form quickly, the fewer canvassers need to be employed
to chase up outstanding forms. If you are not sure if you have
confirmed your registration, have just moved to the area or moved
house and not received a form please contact us.
“Remember, if you do not
register now you may lose the chance to have your say on how
services are provided in your area.
Failure to provide or
refusing to provide information is an offence and the council will
take legal proceedings against people who refuse to provide
information to canvassers. Prosecutions earlier this year
resulted in seven residents, who refused to provide the information
during the 2010 canvass, being fined between £100 and £200.
Full details of how to
fill in the electoral registration form, including opting out of
the edited version which is used for commercial purposes, will be
included with the form.
If anyone requires any
further assistance or advice when completing their form they should
contact the Elections Office helpline, Mondays to Friday between
normal office hours (8:30am to 5:00pm) on telephone numbers 01723
232309, 383545 or 232307.
A revised register of electors is published on 1 December each
year and copies are available for inspection at the council’s
Customer First Centres around the borough.