Right details – right to vote

With canvassing for the electoral register set to begin this month, residents are being asked: are YOUR voting details correct for District and Parish council elections next year?

This year’s annual canvass is even more important as correct details on the electoral register will mean you can vote not only in next year’s District and Parish elections but also in a possible national Referendum.

Every household in Bromsgrove district will receive pink registration forms at the end of August to check that all residents’ details on the electoral register are correct.

And it’s now easier than ever to respond. Confirmation of “no changes” and requests to vote by post can be made via free telephone, internet, and text messaging, as well as returning the registration form by freepost.

Any changes to the details on the form, for example adding or deleting names, can only be made by completing the registration form and returning it in the freepost envelope provided. A leaflet explaining how to respond is being sent out with each form.

Bromsgrove District Council’s Deputy Leader Cllr Geoff Denaro said: “There are many reasons to ensure you appear correctly on the electoral register. As well as being able to vote in the District and Parish elections next year, there is also the proposed national Referendum in May. And if you are not correctly on the electoral register it can affect things like your results with credit agencies, which could mean something as simple as not being able to buy a contracted mobile phone.

“I ask everyone please not to delay in responding to these registration forms, because otherwise we must send out costly reminders using taxpayers’ money - money that we would all rather spend on providing services.”

Everyone needs to respond to the canvass. For more information about the electoral register or how to use your vote, call Electoral Shared Services on 01527 881 421 or e-mail elections@bromsgroveandredditch.gov.uk.