Residents across Tamworth are set to receive their electoral registration forms over the coming weeks. From Monday July 18 2011, the Borough Council will be contacting all households via letter to make sure it has up-to-date details of residents registered to vote.

Every year the Borough Council carries out its annual canvass to make sure it has up-to-date details of residents so people are registered to vote.

If residents’ details are correct, people can confirm this by phone, online or by posting the form back to Tamworth Borough Council. Anyone who has a change in circumstance needs to fill out the form and post it. Reminders will be sent out in the autumn to those people who have not returned or confirmed their forms.

The forms ask residents to confirm who lives at the address, whether those living there would like to be excluded from the edited register and confirming those aged 16 or 17 who will soon be eligible to vote. If you would like to apply for a postal vote please download an application from "More Information" box on the right-hand side.

The annual canvass is a legal requirement and those failing to return it could face a fine of up to £1,000.

For any queries or if people are not sure of their eligibility to register, please contact the Electoral Services Office on 01827 709264/265 or e-mail elections@tamworth.gov.uk

The absolute last day to receive forms is Friday 18 November.

What is the Register of Electors?

The Register of Electors is a list of all the people eligible to vote who reside in the area.

There are two versions of the electoral register - the full register and the edited register.

The full register lists everyone who is entitled to vote. This register can be viewed under supervision at Marmion House. Only certain people and organisations can have copies of the full register, and they can only use it for specified purposes. These include electoral purposes, the prevention and detection of crime and checking your identity when you apply for credit. The law says who can have a copy of the full register and what they can use it for.

The edited version leaves out the names and addresses of people who have asked for their names to be excluded from that version of the register. The edited register can be bought by anyone who asks for a copy and they may use it for any purpose.

To purchase this register please contact the elections office on 01827 709264/265 or email democraticservices@tamworth.gov.uk

How can I register to vote?

There are two ways to register to vote by Annual Canvass or by Rolling registration.

Annual Canvass - Each year between July and November we send a form to every household on our records asking for the details to be checked, and updated where necessary. If the details have not changed you must still re-register by either calling the FREEPHONE telephone registration number shown on the form, by using the internet registration site or by signing the form and returning it to us by post. This will ensure that you remain registered.

Rolling Registration - If you have moved house or are not registered you can apply to be added to the Register between December and August by completing an application to register form. Once completed, send the form to us and we will process your application promptly.

There is a statutory deadline for adding names to the register by. The deadlines for 2012 are:

Following your initial registration you must ensure that you complete and return the Annual Canvass form which will be sent to your property in July to remain registered.

Who can register to vote?

You can register to vote if you are:

• Aged 18, or will become 18, during the "life" of the Register of Electors.

The Register of Electors is published on the 1st December each year and is in force for the following twelve months.

• A British or Commonwealth Citizen, or;
• A European Union Citizen

You must

• Be a resident in the Tamworth Borough area, or
• Have made a Service voter Declaration (see link below), or
• Have registered as an Overseas elector (see link below)

The fact that you pay Council Tax does not mean that you will be automatically registered to vote. We are not allowed to base the Register of Electors on the Council Tax Register.

If you are not registered you will not be able to vote and you may have difficulty obtaining credit or opening a bank account.

Why should I register on the Register of Electors?

If you are not registered at election time you will not be able to vote.

Also, credit agencies use the Register of Electors for credit reference purposes and if you are not included you may find it difficult to obtain credit, open a bank account, or get a mortgage.

It is your responsibility to register and it is in fact an offence to fail to do so. You can be fined up to £1,000 for failing to return your Annual Canvass form.

How do I change my address or name on the Register of Electors?

Changing address does not mean that you leave your vote behind because the Register is updated at the beginning of the month from January to September. You can change your registration by completing an application to register form.  We will even inform the Council at your old address that you have moved in order that you can be taken off their records.

The fact that you pay Council Tax does not mean that you will be automatically registered to vote. We are not allowed to base the Register of Electors on the Council Tax Register.

How can I check that I am registered to vote at my current address?

The Register of Electors is available for public inspection at:

Marmion House
Lichfield Street
Tamworth
Staffordshire
B79 7BZ

or, you can telephone us on 01827 709264/265 or email us on elections@tamworth.gov.uk  to check whether you are registered.