I am writing to let you know about a new system for Electoral Registration which came into effect on 10th June, and which marks the biggest change to how people register to vote in almost a hundred years!
Instead of using a household form to register to vote (i.e. one person listing all occupants in the residence), everyone will have to take individual responsibility for their own registration – this is Individual Electoral Registration or IER.
While this means that new application to register will have to be made individually, there is the option to register online. It is hoped that online registration will be safer and more convenient. Paper forms will be available for those who prefer not to use the online service.
Another change means that applicants will have to provide their date of birth and National Insurance number in order to register. These details will be used to verify that the person making the application is who they say they are, which will reduce the risk of fraud and inaccurate entries on the register. Applications will be checked against government records, by way of a newly-created IER Digital Service.
Our electoral register data has now been checked against government and council tax records, and a match rate of 87% has been achieved. This means that, unless any of those electors have recently moved, they will beautomatically transferred to the “IER Register” without having to do anything. However, those electors who could not be ‘matched’ will need to re-register – either online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote or by returning the form that they receive.
Letters will be sent out to the majority of electors around 18th July, and will give details of what, if anything, the person needs to do. However, we will not be sending out letters at this stage to residents of care/nursing homes or students registered on campus, as we will be working direct with those establishments to make the registration process as smooth as possible and to maximise registration.
The process will continue throughout the next few months and a new Register will be published on 1st December.
The Electoral Commission’s national publicity campaign, encouraging people to look out for their letters, is now underway. Whilst we will supplement this with our own communications, I would be grateful if you could use any circulation systems you have to let your residents know about this change.
I attach electronic versions of the publicity leaflet and poster – if you would like paper copies, please let me know how many and I will send them out to you.
Further information is available at www.gov.uk/yourvotematters
The CDC IER Helpline number is 01285 623002 and will be included on all letters. E-mail queries can be sent toelections@cotswold.gov.uk
If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact either myself or Katrina in the Elections Team.
Kind regards
Sarah
Sarah Dalby, AEA (Cert)
Electoral Services Manager
Direct Dial: 01285 623229
Web: www.cotswold.gov.uk
Twitter: @CDCElections