Transcript Document
Individual Electoral Registration Asim Munir & James Moran 26th June 2014 Individual Electoral Registration • A major change in voter registration is taking place this year. You are key in helping us ensure [local residents or target audience] are part of the change. What is Individual Electoral Registration? The way people register to vote changed on 10 June 2014 • This new method of registration is called Individual Electoral Registration (IER) • The change means: – people can register online – people will need to register themselves – in the past forms were sent to the ‘head of the household’ who would register those living at the address – some people will need to re-register You need to be registered in order to vote in elections and referendums Who should be on the our electoral register • Adult resident (18+) in Rotherham Borough: – Any British citizen – Any other EU citizens – Any Commonwealth citizen – Anyone aged 17 who will become 18 when the register will be in force (attainers) • Any student studying away from home can remain registered at their parental home Aims of Individual Electoral Registration • to reduce electoral fraud and increase public confidence in the system • to make individuals responsible for their own registration • to modernise electoral registration by allowing individuals to register online • Reduce the number unregistered The Transition - Key Dates • 10 Jun 14: all new applications will require personal identifiers (NI No. and date of birth) • Jun 14 – Dec 15: transitional period with automatic transfer (confirmation) • Jul 14 – Nov 14: confirmation live run and transitional canvass • 1 Dec 14: new register published Matching Electoral Data • Electoral data has been matched against DWP records as a practice in 2013 • Rotherham match of 85.5% (nat. ave. 78%) • Following additional local data matching, the match increased to 91.8%. – Highest in Keppel 94.3% – Lowest in Boston Castle 85.5% • Live data matching will run again in July 2014 Transitional Arrangements - Transitional Canvass Jul 14 – Nov 14 • Confirmation letters – to those who confirmed • Invitations to register (ITR) – to those who don’t confirm • Household enquiry forms (HEF) to empty properties and carry forwards from 2013 canvass • Reminders • Personal canvassing Transitional Arrangements - Carry Forward • carry forward provision for unconfirmed electors - 1 December 2014 • effect of carry forward on any absent vote arrangement • removal of electors carried forward form 2014 canvass – 1 December 2015 IER After the Transition - Annual Canvass • • • • • HEF to every property reminders / canvassers ITR to every unregistered individual reminders / canvassers 1 December 2015 – first full IER register published Benefits of Electoral Registration & IER • Gives you the right to vote! and the choice whether to vote or not • IER will reduce electoral fraud • Used by credit reference agencies & for mortgage or loans applications • Can be used to verify ID (esp. IER) • Can opt out of public register Be part of our campaign! • We will be writing to all residents to let them know about the change • We are raising awareness through public engagement • There will be national advertising during the ‘write-out’ and ahead of the 2015 UK general election • Lots of organisations are getting involved e.g. Local Strategic Partnership and VCS (Voluntary Community Sector) How you can Help • [local residents / target group] are more likely to be missing from the register • Your organisation has unique influence and contact with [local residents / target group] • You can enable [local residents / target group] to have a say in elections and referendums • You can raise your profile by helping [local residents / target group] to become aware of the issue and take action • You will be part of a national campaign for a historic change How can you help? • Provide leaflets on how to register • Display posters • Include text in your newsletters, magazines or other communications • Add banners and links to your website • Raise the topic at meetings and forums • Talk to other influential contacts • Anything else? Questions? More information: • Electoral Services team • 01709 823590 • [email protected]