SBC updating Electoral Register

Letters will be arriving at more than 25,000 households from this week to make sure the electoral register in Stafford Borough is up to date.

Residents must be on the register to enable them to vote in local and national polls.

And not being on the register can affect a person’s credit rating which can lead to issues when buying a house or taking out a phone contract, for example.

Letters asking residents to check whether information that appears on the electoral register for those living at their address is correct will be sent out from Thursday (29 July.) If the details are correct, then no action is needed.

More than 8,000 households have already completed the annual canvass having responded by text or email to Stafford Borough Council. A change in national regulations allowed the council to use e communications to collate canvass information for the first time last year – a move that has saved the local authority thousands of pounds.

Electoral Registration Officer, Tim Clegg, who is Chief Executive of the borough council, encouraged people to check their details are correct – and if not to contact the election office.

He said: “Your right to vote on who will be making the decisions that affect all our lives is the cornerstone of a healthy democracy. And it is very easy to make sure you are able to have your say at future elections, simply check the information on the letter when it arrives.”

The process will also help identify any residents who are not registered so that they can be encouraged to do so. Anyone needing to change details can do it online or contact the borough council.

He added: “Please remember that if you have moved house in the last 12 months you will need to be registered at your new address so look out for these letters.”

You can contact the election’s team at elections@staffordbc.gov.uk or 01785 619424 if you have any queries. People who are not registered can do so at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.

Press Release No 5793