READING Borough Council has urged residents to look out for electoral registration canvassing forms.
The council has now gone into the third phase of a drive to encourage residents to sign up to the electoral register ahead of local elections set for May 2023.
The annual canvass sees forms sent out to identify any residents who haven’t registered and encourage them to do so.
It has also reminded residents that those aged 16-17 should be added to household information so that they can be included in the register once they’ve turned 18.
Christopher Brooks, Electoral Registration Officer at Reading Borough Council. said:
“We are now moving on to the third stage of our canvass. That means some households will receive what is known as a ‘Canvass Form’ this week.
“This is only going to those households where we have not been able to match details with the Department for Work and Pensions and to those households who have not yet responded to the Canvass letters sent out in at the end of July, and people must respond to this letter by 28 September 2022.
He also said that the quickest way to sign up was online through the government website.
“Alternatively, please check the details on the Canvass Form and update the information if necessary and return the form in the pre-paid envelope provided.
“Where no response is received, the Council is then obliged to follow up with households for a third time, which could include door-to-door canvassers visiting the address.
“It costs the Council money to do this, so its really important the form is returned as quickly as possible, ideally online which is the quickest route.”
As well as the Canvass Form, residents can register online at www.gov.uk, or can request information to be sent through the post by calling 0118 937 3717 or email Elections@reading.gov.uk.
