Witney News - Council urges prompt action to keep electoral registration costs down

Council urges prompt action to keep electoral registration costs down

West Oxfordshire residents are being urged to help keep public sector costs down by responding promptly, and if possible electronically, when they receive their electoral registration forms.

The Council is writing to over 47,000 households in the District asking them to take action by confirming their registration details either by text, by Freephone, online or by post.

If changes need to be made to the registration details sent, then the household is asked to notify the Council either online or by returning the form provided.

Electoral registration is a legal requirement that has to be to done each year and residents must be on the Electoral Register to be eligible to vote.

“With it now being so quick and easy to reply we are hoping an early high response rate will reduce the need to send out reminders, as these are costly and could amount to as much as £50,000,” says Keith Butler, West Oxfordshire District Council’s Electoral Registration Officer.

He also added, “Costs can be reduced even further by responding digitally rather than by post.”

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.

Further information is online at www.westoxon.gov.uk/register.

Anyone who has not received an electoral registration form by 1 September should contact the Council on 01993 861410 or email [email protected].