RESIDENTS REGISTER TO VOTE ONLINE

Hundreds of residents have already re-registered to vote following a letter received by the Council informing them of the change to the electoral registration system – a move from the old ‘head of household’ registration system to Individual Electoral Registration.

For all sorts of reasons, around 20,000 people in Stockport have not been matched against government records and therefore cannot be transferred automatically to the new register. These residents have been asked to provide some additional details to re-register and avoid losing their right to vote.

As well as completing the form enclosed with the letter, many residents have been choosing to re-register online at www.gov.uk/registertovote. This is the first time an online application has been available; providing a quick, easy and convenient way to register under the new system.

Eamonn Boylan, Stockport Council’s Chief Executive and Electoral Registration Officer, said:

“If you have received a letter telling you that you’ve been automatically moved onto the new electoral register, then you do not need to take any further action. If your letter also states that you are not included on the ‘Open Register’ please do not worry; you are still registered to vote. This just means you have previously told us that you do not want your details to appear on the version of the register that is published and available for sale, and therefore, we have withheld your details as requested.

“For those residents that have not been transferred onto the new register and have to provide more details, it’s really important to take action soon. This is especially the case for residents who wish to keep their postal vote for the elections in 2015 – they have until December 2014 to re-register. So don’t lose out; it’s straightforward to make sure you’re registered.”

Residents not currently registered to vote or who have moved house recently will not have received a letter but can also register to vote online. Visit www.gov.uk/register-to-vote with your National Insurance Number.*

To request a paper version of the application form phone 0161 217 6026.

For more information on what’s happening in Stockport visit www.stockport.gov.uk/registertovote or follow us on Twitter @StockportMBC or join the conversation using #yourvotematters