Those expecting to be able to vote in planned or unplanned elections are being urged to respond to forms being sent to households in South Northamptonshire.

Every year the annual Electoral Canvass starts with a Household Enquiry Form (HEF). This is to confirm which people in the household are eligible to vote. All eligible voters must respond to this form and they can do so quickly and easily online.Yvonne Rees, Electoral Registration Officer for South Northamptonshire, said: "The world around us is rapidly changing and for most people the only way to make a difference to the way it changes is at the ballot box."Legislation dictates some measures I must take to ensure everyone who is eligible to vote is registered, but people will notice some differences this year intended to make the process more efficient."For example legislation requires the Electoral Registration Officers to send voter registration forms with prepaid envelopes so it doesn't cost anyone to register."However prepaid envelopes only cost money if they are used and voters are being urged to recycle the envelope and register online."And when we send out canvassers to knock on the doors of those who have not responded, they will be equipped with tablet computers rather than having to process paper forms."If you do not reply we have to send reminders which cost a significant amount of tax payer's money."It is important to note that completion of the HEF does not mean someone is registered to vote.Anyone who has moved, turned 18, married or changed their name for any other reason must respond personally to the HEF and they will then be sent an Invitation to Register to vote.Anyone finding that information on the HEF is correct can confirm this quickly and easily by: calling 0800 197 9871, texting security codes printed on their form to 80212, or inputting the codes online at www.householdresponse.com/cherwellandsouthnorthants.Those needing to amend the information held about them can do so via www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.END