Over 83 per cent of Wealden residents have been successfully transferred over to the new Individual Electoral Registration as Wealden’s electoral services joins others across the country in moving over to the new system
Individual Electoral Registration replaces the outdated Victorian concept that a single ‘head of household’ is responsible for registering everyone at that address. Now electoral registration is everyone’s responsibility.
“Making sure we obtain a correct data match has taken a lot of time and effort from Wealden’s Electoral Services but it has put us in a good position to complete the switch over to the new national system of Individual Electoral Registration,” said Charles Lant, Wealden’s Electoral Registration Officer.
“We can now identify and contact those people whose records are not clear to ensure they can be properly registered in time for the 2015 elections.
“We would also encourage anyone now living in Wealden who does not think they are registered to vote in the district to get in touch with our Electoral Service Team either by email: elections@wealden.gov.uk or telephone on 01892 602417.
“Thursday 7 May 2015 will be a big day for Democracy in the District. As well a Parliamentary election, voters can choose who represents them on Wealden District Council and many will also be able to vote in parish and town council elections.
“We will be doing our best to make sure everyone who is eligible to vote, can vote. If you receive a call from our electoral canvass team, or are left a calling card through your letter box, please help us to help you be properly represented.”
Wealden, like all other electoral districts in the country, has been taking part in the Electoral Commission’s registration checking exercise called Confirmation Live Run to monitor progress.
Wealden is the most populous district in East Sussex and has been able to return the highest transfer rate in East Sussex of 83.1 per cent. Work is now taking place to consolidate outstanding data and ensure residents who are not on the electoral records are given the opportunity to register. More information about Confirmation Live Run is available of the Electoral Commission website www.electoralcommission.org.uk .
