Archived press release

Date Published: 01/11/07

Aylesbury Vale District Council is considering prosecuting people who flout the law by refusing to put their names on the electoral register. The warning comes as the council gives local residents their final chance to complete and return elector...

Aylesbury Vale District Council is considering prosecuting people who flout the law by refusing to put their names on the electoral register.

The warning comes as the council gives local residents their final chance to complete and return electoral registration forms, which were delivered to every household in the district in August.

Those residents who failed to respond at the first time of asking now have the choice to return their forms by the 9 November deadline or risk prosecution for evading registration.

AVDC has the power to prosecute people who fail to supply information to the electoral registration officer. By law each household must register to vote, with non compliance and providing incorrect information carrying fines of up to £1,000.

Councillor John Cartwright, Leader of the Council, said: “AVDC has never prosecuted anyone for refusing to put their name on the electoral register, but it is something that we are now considering. Everyone must register by law, although of course it is up to the individual whether or not they want to vote.

“People who do not heed the reminder should be aware of the possible consequences of non-registration, which go beyond not having a vote. It may hinder their chances of obtaining credit and it may even land them in court.”

Residents must renew their registration every year to be certain of being able to vote in local council, national and European Parliamentary elections. All British, other Commonwealth and European Union member state citizens can register to vote.

Registering to vote not only gives residents a voice at election time but it can also help to open a bank account, obtain a mortgage, loan or other credit as it is a major source of information for financial institutions doing credit checks.

More than 60 canvassers working on behalf of AVDC are going door to door to help residents complete their electoral registration forms before the November deadline. The information received will be used to enable the council to publish the new register of electors on 3 December 2007.

For further information or assistance call the electoral services telephone helpline on 01296 585807 or visit the council’s website at www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/elections