That's the message of RBC's annual electoral audit which is due to finish in two weeks time on 22 November.
In plain english this is the process by which the Council checks that the electoral register is as accurate as possible.
It's a message that has particular resonance in Redlands where votes were stolen in 2005.
There is a high level of 'churn' in Reading - much like that found in many big cities and London boroughs. In Redlands the turnover of our electorate is around 50% each year.
This is poses particular challenges for political parties and the Council. This, along with annual elections (most years) in Reading keeps everyone on their toes. Which I think is quite a good thing for democracy.
Given the fact postal vote fraud occured in Redlands in 2005 (the year before I was elected) we take a particular interest in seeing that the Council is doing all it can to ensure the electoral register is as accurate as possible to minimise the risk of fraud.
When I began campaigning in Redlands in 2005 we found there were a number of inaccuracies in the register so we have made a point since then of checking the register and actively reminding people to register to vote.
I think RBC has got better at the process every year, after much nudging by the Lib Dems.
There is still room for improvement but I am particularly pleased to see RBC using experienced staff to canvass households as we had a number of concerns about the Council using a private security firm to carry out this sensitve work.
Councillors were informed last week that at the end of week 10 of this year's annual canvass, RBC have had 46,738 returns from households, out of a total of 66,785 households (70.0%).
The recent postal strikes have made this year's canvass more problematic than usual. RBC's target for registration is 92% - the same as 2008. It is a costly exercise (setting the local authority back about £150,00), but a very important one.
Registration rates across the Borough vary enormously, from polling district to polling district.
I am grateful to John Painter, Electoral Registration Officer at RBC for the following information which you may find of interest:
In terms of wards, the best returns (above 70%) are from Mapledurham(84.8%), Thames (80.8%), Peppard (79.4%), Southcote (79.2%), Church (78.9%), Whitley (78.2%), Kentwood (76.5%), Norcot (72.8%), and
Caversham (72.6%); Battle, Park and Tilehurst are hovering just under,at 69%.
In terms of low returns, there are no wards below 50% , and only 3 below 60% - Redlands (55.0%), Abbey (55.5%), and Katesgrove (56.3%).
There are now only 2 polling districts (out of 52) where the return is
below 50%, and a further 7 where the return is below 60%. These are:
Abbey - all but L (New Hope)
Katesgrove - all
Redlands - R and RB (St Lukes, and Hexham Road)
Minster D (Coley Primary)
The two lowest returners, with response rates below 50%, are (as of 22 October):
Redlands R (St Lukes) - 42.7%
Abbey LC (St John's) - 43.2%
As I said earlier, we play close attention to voter registration in Redlands particularly in areas where it is low such as around Erleigh Road and Hexham Road. It is in no-one's interest to have hundreds of people not on the electoral register.
St Lukes polling district has one of the highest concentrations of students in the Borough. Students are registered to vote in halls by Reading University but often when they move out they forget to re-register. This also makes this area vulnerable to fraud.
I have been in contact with the President of Reading University Students Union and the Electoral Services team at the Council to urge them to work together to ensure as many students as possible register to vote. 2010 is going to be a crucial year in local politics in Reading with local elections and a general election likely to occur on the same day.
If you are unsure if you are registered to vote call the electoral services team at RBC on 0118 939 0960. Find out more details on the Council's website.
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