Published on 28th July 2015

Voting form and pencil

Over the next week, every household in Cheltenham should receive an enquiry form from the Electoral Registration Office.

This is the start of the annual canvass which the law says must be carried out every year. The information is used to compile a new register of electors which will be published by 1 December.

Completing the form is very simple. All you have to do is check that the details are accurate and update it with the details of everyone aged 16 and over living in your household who is eligible to vote, and return it as soon as possible. If your details haven’t changed you can reply by text, freephone or internet.

When you receive your form:

• If there are details already printed on your form, please check and amend them if they are incorrect.

• You must include the forenames, surname, and nationality of every adult who is living in your household.

• Either sign the declaration at the foot of the form then post it in the prepaid envelope provided or you can fill the form in online at www.elecreg.co.uk/cheltenham.

If the details on the form are correct, you can confirm your registration by:

- SMS TEXT - 07786 209 432
- Freephone - 08082 841 432
- Internet - www.elecreg.co.uk/cheltenham

You will need to have your household enquiry form to hand when you use any of these methods.

For more information or for help or advice, contact the electoral registration officer on 01242 264132.

 

For press enquiries contact: Kelly Carter, communications officer, telephone 01242 264154, email [email protected]

 

Notes to editor

1. An annual canvass form will be sent to every property in Cheltenham. A revised electoral register will be published by 1 December.

2. You can only vote if your name appears in the register of electors and you are aged 18 or over on polling day. Any eligible person aged 16 and over can register to vote but must be 18 or over on polling day.

3. Special provisions to register also apply to members of the UK armed forces serving abroad to allow them to vote. For more information, go to http://www.aboutmyvote.co.uk/

4. There are two versions of the register – the electoral register and the open register. Only certain people and organisations can have copies of the electoral register and can only use it for specified reasons. The open register can be bought by anyone who asks for it and can be used for any purpose, including direct marketing.