Letters are being sent to homes across Nottingham to ensure that the electoral register is up to date.
Residents across Nottingham will begin receiving Household Enquiry Forms through the post from the City Council over the next week, as part of the process of registering to vote.
The Household Enquiry Forms (HEFs) have been sent to every household to show residents who is currently registered at their address and ask them to confirm or update the details by responding to the form.
Responding to the HEF is a legal requirement. The Electoral Registration Officer needs the information to be able to publish a complete and accurate Electoral Register on 1 December each year. Anyone not responding to the form could be fined up to £1,000.
People should respond to their HEF by visiting www.householdresponse.com/nottingham.
If there are no changes to make to their HEF, they can also respond by:
- Calling 0800 197 9871 (automated service)
- Texting NOCHANGE followed by their two-part HEF security code to 80212
The two-part security code printed on each HEF needs to be provided when responding online, by phone or by text.
People who are unable to use any of these automated options can return the paper HEF in the envelope provided, addressed to Electoral Reform Services, London.
Sarah Wilson, Electoral Services Manager at the City Council said: “Responding is quick and easy and I’d advise people do it as soon as possible. Making sure your details are correct on the electoral register is vital if you are to vote in any future local or national elections.
“If you do not respond to the HEF, the Council is required, by law, to send reminders. Please help the Council to save taxpayers money by responding to the first form promptly. If a household does not respond, the Council must send a canvasser to visit the property.”
Having your details on the Electoral Register will:
- allow you to be able to vote
- improve your credit rating
- make it easier to access council services
- help you avoid a fine
Students living in Nottingham also need to respond to the Household Enquiry Form. As a student you can register at both your home and term time addresses. Registering in Nottingham not only enables you to vote here but also ensures you have access to some council services.
For further information on responding to the Household Enquiry Form, please visit the Nottingham City Council website.