More people register to vote electronically

Archived press release

Date Published: 16/09/10

Register to vote by text

More people are choosing to go online or use the phone to confirm their details for voter registration in Aylesbury Vale.

Aylesbury Vale District Council – which compiles the electoral register for the area – sent out voter registration forms to more than 70,000 households last month.

At present the details on over 24,000 forms have been registered via the internet, text (SMS) or telephone – a 31 per cent increase compared to the same period last year.

AVDC says that more people registering to vote electronically will lead to less reminders having to be delivered and save council tax payers money. The council would like all replies back by 21 September.

All forms delivered have the website address www.registerbyinternet.com/aylesbury, the freephone number 0800 197 6185 and the text number 80212. Householders will need to use their unique two-part security code which is printed on their forms. It only takes a minute to register by freephone and registering by text takes as little as 22 seconds.

Any of these options can be used where details remain unchanged. These services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week throughout the canvass period.

If the information on the form needs changing, the form should be filled in, signed and returned by post in the envelope provided as quickly as possible. Even if the information on the form is correct and no changes are required, the householder still needs to register to confirm their details.

Being on the electoral register is important to enable people to vote and to help them get credit, a loan or mortgage. Those that refuse to register could face a fine of up to £1,000.

Chris Sheard, Electoral Services Manager, said: “I’m really pleased these options are proving so popular with people, and I hope this will encourage even more residents to register to vote as it is so convenient.

“While most people respond quickly, we always have a number of households who do not return their forms. If people respond promptly then they can help to make savings which can go towards other essential services.”

If residents haven’t received their form, or need more information about electoral registration, they can contact AVDC in the following ways: visit www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/elections or call 01296 585807.