Witney News - 2012 electoral registration forms arrive early!

2012 electoral registration forms arrive early!

Residents may be surprised to find their electoral registration forms arriving two months early this year, but the date has been brought forward because the Electoral Register needs to be updated in time for the ‘Police and Crime Commissioner’ elections on 15 November.

This will be the first ever ‘Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner’ election and West Oxfordshire District Council is urging residents to complete and return their forms so they do not lose their chance to vote.

For most people, electoral registration is simply a case of confirming their details as the forms are already completed, based on current householder details. This can be done by either sending a text, calling a freephone number or visiting www.westoxon.gov.uk/register. If changes need to be made, they can simply fill in the form and return it in the pre-paid envelope provided.

Keith Butler, West Oxfordshire District Council’s Electoral Registration Officer said, “Electoral registration is very easy and very quick. Many residents do not realise that confirming details has to be done each year and so do not respond until we issue reminders or carry out door to door visits. This is very expensive and so we are asking people to register as soon as possible to avoid sending out costly reminders.”

To be eligible to vote residents must be on the Electoral Register. The Register is also often used by credit checking agencies and can be required for things such as getting a loan or mortgage or mobile phone contract. Other pitfalls of not being on the Register include not being eligible to apply for certain jobs which require security checks and not being able to open a bank account.

Anyone who has not received an electoral registration form should contact the Council on 01993 861410 or online at www.westoxon.gov.uk/register. Further information is also available online.