What is Individual Electoral Registration?
This summer voter registration has moved from being done by the head of the household to each person being required to
register to vote individually, rather than by household. As a consequence it is likely that there will be alterations in the numbers of voters on the electoral role.
Eastleigh Borough Council have a useful Q and A section on their website:
Why are changes being made to the
current electoral registration process?The process
of getting onto the electoral register is changing from a
property-based system (where one person in the household completes
the form on behalf of everyone living in the property) to one where
every individual must register themselves. This change is
being introduced nationally by the Government to help deter elector
fraud and so that people are able to take individual responsibility
for their own vote.
How will IER differ to the current way
of registering to vote?With the new individual
registration form replacing the out-dated household application
form people will have more control over registration and be able to
take ownership of the process. IER will bring electoral
registration into the 21st century with the introduction of onlineregistration for everyone who is eligible.
Will registering under IER be
complicated?No, registering to vote under the new
system will be straightforward. With the additional option of
online registration, the process will be greatly improved.
When is IER being
introduced?The transition to IER will take place
during the Summer of 2014.
What will happen if I am already
registered?Councils are now required by law to
cross-check its electoral data with records held at the Department
for Work and Pensions (DWP). Where there is a perfect
match we will write to advise you that you are simply being
transferred across to the new individual register and you need do
nothing further. However, if there is not a match
with DWP records, we will write to you to advise you of this but
also include an ‘invitation to register’ form, which you will need
to complete and return. We anticipate around 12% of electors
will need to complete such forms.
If that’s the case, what information
will I need to provide on the invitation?Each person
who does not have a match with DWP records will be asked to give
identifying information including full name, national insurance
number and date of birth. This will allow each person’s application
to be verified before they are added to the register. If you cannot
provide a national insurance number, there is an exceptions process
that can be followed.
Where can I find more information on
IER?
www.electoralcommission.org.uk/find-information-by-subject/electoral-registration/our-role-in-individual-electoral-registration
