Oxford City Council is continuing its annual city-wide canvass to draw up a new electoral register.
The canvass, which started when the Council sent out canvass forms in September, has now reached the point at which electoral staff would have been going out and visiting residents who had not returned their forms, to remind them to do so.
However, with the current coronavirus crisis continuing, the Council has decided not to send out staff this year to knock on doors. It will post out a further reminder instead and may send out staff in the spring, depending on how the coronavirus crisis develops.
"We want to make sure everyone who has a right to vote will be able to do so. That means by this time during the annual canvass we would normally be sending out people to knock on the doors of those who have yet to return their form. But that is not an option this year as we want to minimise contact to prevent the spread of the virus.
“I want to emphasise how important it is to register, not only because not being registered means you’ll lose the chance to vote, but also because it may affect your credit rating; the electoral register is used to confirm addresses for credit checks when applying for a loan, mobile phone or mortgage.”
Anita Bradley, Returning Officer at Oxford City Council
The electoral register is the list of everyone who is entitled to vote in elections. Those not on the register will not be able to vote. The quickest, easiest way to register is by going to the Register to Vote webpage. It doesn’t take long.
Residents can also register by phone or text (the details are on the form) or return the form by post if that’s easiest. The canvass form contains the security codes that are used during the registration process. Everyone aged 18 and over who is eligible to vote must register.
For more information phone 01865 249811 or visit the Register to Vote webpage.
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