FOR the first time in Swindon, householders will be able to give their details for the 2004 register of electors by calling a freephone telephone number which could save the council up to £10,000.
This will only apply to those households where there is no change to their current details usually 70 per cent of households in Swindon.
By September 7, every household will receive their annual electoral registration form. Details of how to re-register by telephone will be provided inside.
The telephone calls will be handled by an automated system that is easy to use. The cost of handling the phone call to the council is less than the postage and processing costs of handling the electoral registration form if it is posted back to the council.
Householders who re-register by phone to not need to post the form back to the council.
Householders are required by law to provide the information every year, so that an accurate register of electors can be published.
Alan Winchcombe, Swindon Borough Council's electoral services manager, said: "People in Swindon have used the telephone in large numbers to cast their votes for the last two years. Now they have the opportunity to register to vote by phone. It's a quick and simple process, free to them and it saves the council money."
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