Over the summer, all New Forest District Council residents will receive a letter telling them about the biggest change to the electoral registration system in nearly 100 years.
A new, more secure, system of Individual Electoral Registration is being introduced to replace the old system where the “head of household” registered everyone living in a property. Now, each individual will be responsible for registering themselves.
Many New Forest District residents will automatically move onto the new electoral register. However, some will need to take action to join or remain on it, which they will now also be able to do for the first time by registering quickly and easily online.
New Forest District Council’s Electoral Registration Officer, Dave Yates said:
“New Forest District residents will receive a letter towards the end of July 2014 that will tell you if you have been automatically transferred to the new register or not. If you have not been transferred, you will need to provide some additional information and the letter will tell you exactly what you need to do.”
Samantha Mills, Head of Campaigns at the Electoral Commission, said:
“This summer the Electoral Commission will launch a major advertising campaign that will raise awareness of the change to Individual Electoral Registration. We welcome this change, which will lead to a more secure register and replace the outdated Victorian concept that a single ‘head of household’ is responsible for registering everyone.”
For more information visit www.gov.uk/yourvotematters . If you do not receive a letter contact New Forest District Council elections team on 023 8028 5445 or electoralservices@nfdc.gov.uk
