Don't lose your vote, warning

Almost 38,400 households—a third of the Rotherham borough—have still to return electoral forms or confirm their details online, with just over a month to go to the deadline on November 24.

Forms were sent out to every household at the end of August to gather information for the new edition of the Register of Electors which will be published by December 1.

A borough council spokesman said: “Around 112,000 forms were sent out initially and so far around 66 per cent of households have responded.

“This leaves almost 38,400 households in danger of losing their right to vote.

“These people are being reminded that if they fail to return the form their name and those of everyone living in their house who is eligible to vote may not be included on the Electoral Register.”

The electoral register is not only used for voting purposes. Credit reference agencies are legally entitled to use it to check details, so your credit rating can be affected if you are not included.

Householders are also reminded that they are required by law to return these forms and could in extreme cases face a fine for refusing to do so or for giving false information.

If you have not yet received a form, contact the electoral services helpline on 01709 823590.