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Three good reasons to respond to the 2011 canvass

Although responses to the ongoing electoral canvass have so far been very good across Grampian, there are three good reasons to do so if you haven’t already.

Electoral canvass forms were delivered to over a quarter of a million homes in the area at the beginning of last month.

Electoral Registration Officer for Grampian, Ian Milton, says there are three good reasons to return them.

1. No response = no vote. Electors who do not respond to the canvass form for two years in succession are deleted from the electoral register.

2. No response = problems with banks and credit checking agencies. They check the electoral register to ensure that the customer is resident at their address.

3. No response = the risk of a fine of up to £1,000.

Governments place considerable importance on having an up to date electoral register, even when citizens have no interest in voting.

Decisions on resource allocation and representation in terms of local government wards and parliamentary constituencies are often based on the number of electors registered in a particular area.

The Grampian Electoral Registration Office is urging householders who receive reminders next week (w/b October 10) to respond to them immediately. Reminders will be delivered by post or by doorstep canvassers.

Householders who do not respond run the risk of a fine of up to £1,000.

If anybody needs help to make their response, the Electoral Registration Officer can provide practical help and assistance.

“We can provide home visits to help the disabled or disadvantaged and at the same time deal with any questions or concerns citizens may have,” said Mr Milton.

“We can also make special arrangements where people believe that the inclusion of their name in the electoral register may place them at risk for example, from a former violent or abusive partner.”

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