Voter registration packs will be dropping through letterboxes across Bath & North East Somerset
around 17 October 2013.
The
Council would like to encourage residents to respond promptly and, if
the details printed
on their voter registration form are correct, do so via the internet,
Freephone or Text SMS. Re-registering electronically is quick and simple
and it also helps save the taxpayers money. Last year over 32,000
households successfully renewed their registration
electronically.
The
largest saving could be made by people simply responding by Friday 8
November. Every household
is required by law to give the information asked for in the voter
registration form; failure to do so means the Council will have to send
out a reminder letter, followed up by a personal visit from a
registration canvasser. Every year the Council spends an
average of £25,000 on reminders and canvassers’ visits.
There
will be European Parliamentary Elections in May 2014. Vernon Hitchman,
the Council’s Electoral
Registration and Returning Officer, said “We are encouraging people to
register promptly and go electronic if they can. By doing this, they
will have the opportunity to make their voice heard at these elections
and to save public money.”
How to register – it’s quick and easy
All you have to do is update the annual registration form with the details of everyone in your
household who is eligible to vote and return it to the Electoral Registration Office by Friday 8 November 2013.
· If
the
details of your household haven’t changed you can renew your
registration electronically using the internet, Freephone or text SMS
service;
· If
the
details of your household have changed, for example someone has moved
in or out, these can only be updated by filling in a form and returning
it by post.
If you haven’t received your form by Friday 25 October you should contact the Electoral Registration
Office either by phone or email. More details are available at www.bathnes.gov.uk/registertovote
