1 September 2012

Please note: this news article is in our archive. Articles were correct at time of publication, but should not be relied on for accuracy after the passage of time.

MID Sussex District Council is urging any local residents who have not yet responded to the 2012 electoral canvass to do so immediately to avoid the need for costly reminders.

Many people may not be aware that the voter registration process has been brought forward this year to make sure it is completed before the Police and Crime Commissioner elections on 15 November.

Voter registration for 2012 closes on the 8 October, and any forms received after that date will not be included on the register and those people may not then be eligible to vote.

Mid Sussex District Council has issued voter registration forms to every household in Mid Sussex and so far around 77% of Mid Sussex households have responded.

The Council will be sending out final reminders and making door-to-door enquiries from the start of September so it is important that as many people as possible respond now.

Residents are reminded that being registered for Council Tax or other Council services does not automatically entitle them to vote.

Everyone must respond to the electoral canvass but fortunately registering could not be more convenient. Residents now have the option to confirm their details by post, phone, online or SMS text message and these modern confirmation methods are becoming increasingly popular.

“Voter registration is taking place earlier this year because of the Police and Crime Commissioner Election but this has coincided with a time when people are busy with the Olympics and school holidays,” said Tom Clark, Electoral Registration Officer for Mid Sussex.

“As a result, completing the registration process may not be at the top of peoples’ priorities. It is now really important that residents respond quickly and provide their registration details before reminder notices are issued. Sending out reminders and chasing people up is an unnecessary cost to the Mid Sussex taxpayer and I urge people help us keep these costs as low as possible by responding promptly to this electoral canvass.”

Anyone who has moved house in recent weeks and has not received a form for his or her new property should contact Electoral Services immediately. For more information about the registration process and voting, please go to www.midsussex.gov.uk/elections, contact Electoral Services on 01444 477003 or email elections@midsussex.gov.uk.

Registering to vote only takes a few minutes. Don’t miss out on the chance to make your voice heard.