Final Reminder for Electoral Registration

About 5000 households in North Norfolk have not yet registered to vote, and final reminders have dropped through their letterboxes urging them to do so as soon as possible.

Electoral registration forms were delivered to all 52,000 homes in the District at the end of August, asking for details of people who are age 16 or over (so it includes those who will reach the voting age of 18 during the life of the Register). The first reminders were sent out towards the end of September.

However, around 5000 forms (roughly 10%) have not yet been returned, and time is running out for these to be received by the Electoral Registration Officer in time for processing before publication of the revised Register of Electors on 1 December this year.

Those who are not registered are not able to vote. Registering is a legal requirement, even if you choose not to cast your vote at elections.

The next elections for the District Council and all North Norfolk Parish Councils are to take place on 3 May, 2007. People who are not registered can find they have trouble getting credit because banks, building societies and other financial institutions use the register as confirmation of residence when carrying out credit checks.

Philip Burton, the Council's Chief Executive and Electoral Registration Officer, said: "The Council places great importance on the production of a complete and accurate Register of Electors, but this cannot be done without the participation and cooperation of North Norfolk residents. So we would urge those who have not yet completed and returned their forms to do so straight away."

ENDS