Reply to the Canvass or Lose Your Right to Vote

Work has begun on the compilation of a revised edition of North Norfolk's register of electors.

Canvass forms for the register are now being sent to the District's 51,000 homes. Householders simply have to complete the form with details of those living at home who are eligible to vote, or are approaching their 18th birthday, and return it to North Norfolk District Council in the pre-paid envelope provided.

Electors will be able to opt out of an 'edited' version of the register - the one that will be available for purchase by anyone for any purpose. However, supply of the full register will be strictly limited to those entitled to receive it for use at elections, or for crime prevention and detection, or for residential checks in connection with applications for finance and credit.

"The requested information on the form refers to people's residence on 15 October 2005, but it will help to keep our administrative costs down if everyone can return the forms at the earliest opportunity," said Martin Austin, the Council's Deputy Electoral Registration Officer.

"Only those whose names appear on the register will be able to exercise their right to vote, and there is a legal obligation upon every household to supply the required information," added Mr Austin. "As well as risking disenfranchisement, voters who fail to register could also find it difficult to obtain credit, since most banks and building societies require evidence of residence when considering loans applications, and they will normally engage certificated credit reference agencies to check names against the register of electors for this purpose."

For more information about the register, please telephone the Council's Registration Services Section on (01263) 516046 or 516317.

People in North Norfolk are usually quick to return their completed electoral registration forms, and evidence shows they are among the keenest to cast their votes too. At this year's General Election, North Norfolk had one of the highest turn-outs of voters (73%) in the country.

ENDS