Next week, all residents in the Harrogate district will receive a letter through the post telling them about the biggest change to the electoral registration system in nearly 100 years.
Harrogate Borough Council’s Electoral Registration Officer will write to over 120,000 people in the region. The letter will explain that 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.
Nearly 110,000 of the district’s residents will automatically move onto the new electoral register. However, over 10,000 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.
Jennifer Norton, Harrogate Borough Council’s Head of Legal & Governance said: Residents in the Harrogate district will receive a letter the week commencing Monday 28th July that will explain the change to the electoral registration system. Look out for the letter as 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.
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 We welcome this change, which will lead to a more secure register and replace the outdated Victorian concept that a single ‘head of household’ is responsible for registering everyone.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 Harrogate Borough Council’s elections team on 01423 551613 / 01423 556008 or email elect@harrogate.gov.uk
