A new voter registration system called Individual Electoral Registration (IER) comes into force this summer in the biggest change to voter registration in 100 years.

This means that instead of the head of the household being responsible for registering everyone who lives at an address, every individual will be responsible for their own voter registration.

Mansfield District Council is writing to all residents in Mansfield District between 4th August and 8th August to tell them about the change.

Most people will not need to do anything as those who are already registered to vote will be transferred automatically to the new register. However, around 13,000 residents of the District may need to take action to join the new register, even if they were registered in the past. For example, if they have recently moved house.

Residents who are not registered to vote at all will need to register under the new system at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. The new system means that for the first time people will be able to register online. The new online process will be quicker and more convenient. Residents who don’t have access to the internet or can’t use it, can get help to register from the Council’s Elections team. Please contact them on 01623 463 345.

People will need to provide a few more details, including their National Insurance number and date of birth. This helps to make the electoral register more secure.

Ruth Marlow, managing director of Mansfield District Council, said: “Every resident in Mansfield District will be receiving a letter from the Council between 4th August and 8th August. We would encourage residents to wait until they receive that letter as it will tell them what, if any, action they need to take to ensure they are on the new register.”

The new register will be published on 1st December.