Voters can now register by phone and internet
Annual canvass forms will go to every household in the Winchester district next week – but this year the City Council has introduced phone and internet registration as well.
The Electoral Services Unit has modernised the system so that voters with no changes to their household details can call a Freephone number or go online to register. New residents or electors with changes to their details will need to return the form via Freepost in the usual way.
Almost 48,000 canvass forms are sent out across the district and about half of all households will have no change to their details. By using the new online or phone systems instead of sending forms back via freepost it could help the Council make significant cost savings. It is hoped it will also further increase the percentage of residents registered to vote (the figure already stands at 98%).
Electoral Services Manager Kath Richards said: “The new systems are very straightforward to use and could save us a great deal of time and money. We hope that as many people as possible take up the facility.”
The City Council is also reviewing the polling districts and polling places in its area. If anyone within the Winchester Parliamentary Constituency wants to comment on the suitability of current arrangements and propose an alternative solution they should write to Head of Democratic Services, Winchester City Council, City Offices, Colebrook Street, Winchester, SO23 9LJ or email ereg@winchester.gov.uk.
Comments will be particularly welcome from people or organisations with interest or expertise in the accessibility of disabled persons to polling places.