AS canvassers are busy around the district
dropping off electoral registration canvass forms, Harrogate
Borough Council is pleased to see that residents are making use of
the freephone service and the
internet.
Harrogate is one of over 100 councils across the country which
is working with the Electoral Reform Services (ERS) to offer local
residents an innovative and easier way to register for their
vote.
Households where details haven't changed can simply make a
freephone call or use the internet to let the council
know. So no form filling and no need to pop to
the post box.
Where changes have occurred, because people have moved or
children have attained voting age etc, the registration canvass
form should be completed, following the easy instructions, and
delivered back to the council in the pre-paid
envelope. And Harrogate Council's electoral
registration team is urging residents to remember to sign the form
as many are not doing so and the forms are having to be
returned.
Karen Birdsall, Senior Elections Officer, said: "The freephone
and internet service are available 24 hours, seven days a
week. So it couldn't be easier for those homes
that just want to tell us that their details remain the
same. The freephone system proved very popular
last year with over half of those households using the
system. This year, we are hoping that the
internet will also prove as popular. If some of
the comments we have received are an indication, we know it will
be."
This is just some of the feedback the electoral registration
team have had via the internet.
This online registration is a brilliant idea - clear,
quick, and simple.
G. Sanderson
A great help. It must reduce administration costs and
help to keep council taxes down. V
Matthews
Find this way of registering very easy and cost
effective. Anything which saves money for our council is a
good thing. J East
Developed by the ERS, freephone and internet registration
means updates are immediate and more accurate, and there are
significant reductions in the costs of the canvass.
Details of the freephone and internet address are available on
the registration canvass forms which people will need
to have to hand to make the calls as it contains
their confidential registration number.
ENDS
FURTHER INFORMATION : is available from Lynne Mee,
Communications and Media Manager on 01423 556022.