HAVING to send out reminders for residents to complete and return their electoral register forms is costing West Oxfordshire taxpayers £8,000.

The district council is sending reminders to more than 20,000 households in the district this week who have failed to fill them in and send them back.

Last month 47,000 householders were written to last month but just over half have bothered to return them.

Residents can take action by confirming their registration details either by text, Freephone, online or by post

Keith Butler, West Oxfordshire District Council’s electoral registration officer said: “It is costing the council, and therefore council tax payers, around £8,000 to send these reminders out – money that could be spent on other services.

“It’s quick and easy to reply and if people use the online service they can help save even more money.”

If changes need to be made to the registration details sent, then the household is asked to notify the Council either online or by returning the form provided.

Electoral registration is a legal requirement that has to be to done each year and residents must be on the Electoral Register to be eligible to vote.

The register is also often used by credit checking agencies and can be required for things such as getting a loan or mortgage or mobile phone contract. Other pitfalls of not being on the register include not being eligible to apply for certain jobs which require security checks and not being able to open a bank account.

Further information is online at www.westoxon.gov.uk/register.

Anyone who has not received an electoral registration form is asked to contact the council on 01993 861410 or email elections@westoxon.gov.uk