Electoral registration canvassers on the streets

Archived press release

Date Published: 12/10/09

Electoral registration staff visit every property that does not return a form

Aylesbury Vale residents who have not already registered to vote this year can expect a knock on the door over the next few weeks.

Council officials working for Aylesbury Vale District Council will be visiting homes to seek out those people who have not returned their electoral registration forms.

AVDC sent out forms to more than 71,000 homes across the district in August asking residents to fill them in and return.

Reminders have already been sent to those homes that have not returned the form but there are still around 12,000 forms outstanding across Aylesbury Vale.

The law requires that electoral registration staff must now visit every property that does not return a form. Each visit costs the council tax payers of Aylesbury Vale about £2.50.

It’s important that residents are on the electoral register to have their say, especially as a general election will have to be held by June 2010.

Banks, building societies and other financial organisations carry out credit checks using information from the electoral register. It also provides supporting information when opening a bank account, applying for a mortgage or credit card.

A conviction for failure to complete an electoral registration form carries a maximum fine of £1,000.

Four Aylesbury Vale residents who refused to return their electoral registration forms last year were fined recently. The council took court action when the residents failed to provide information to canvassers who made a personal visit to help them complete the form.

Canvassers with ID cards and a photograph will be visiting properties from 16 October onwards. Anyone who still has their form is urged to return it as soon as possible to save a visit.

In some cases the canvasser will just be confirming information the council already has and will only require a signature from the householder.

Councillor John Cartwright, Leader of the Council, said: “Registering to vote is the only way you can have a direct impact on who runs both the council and government. I urge all residents to register using the forms sent recently and save the council money, or with the help of the canvassers who will be knocking on your door soon. As always, remember that our canvassers will be carrying full identification and for your safety please make sure you ask to see this first.”

There are a number of ways to respond to the form including a freephone telephone number, online or text for those households who have no changes to make to the information on their form. Amendments must be made by returning the form in the post. Texts will be charged at the service providers’ normal rate.

Full instructions to help residents register their information are provided with the registration forms. The new register will be published on 1 December.

For further information about registering to vote, go to www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/registration or call 01296 585807.