West Oxfordshire District Council has asked Chadlington Parish Council for the information below to be publicised
During the summer, West Oxfordshire residents will receive a letter through the post telling them about the biggest change to the electoral registration system in nearly 100 years.
West Oxfordshire District Council will be writing to local residents to explain that a new, more secure system of Individual Electoral Registration (IER) is being introduced nationally. This will mean that each individual will be responsible for registering themselves.
Most people will automatically move onto the new Electoral Register. However, some will need to take action to join or remain on it and, for the first time, will be able to do so by registering quickly and easily online.
Keith Butler, the District Council’s electoral registration officer, said: “West Oxfordshire residents will receive information towards the end of July which will explain the change to the electoral registration system. Look out for it, because it 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.”
The changes are being brought in across the country. The Electoral Commission’s head of campaigns, Samantha Mills, said: “We are launching 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 We welcome this change, which will lead to a more secure register and replace the outdated Victorian concept that a single ‘head of household’ is responsible for registering everyone.”