RESIDENTS in Basingstoke and Deane are being sent a letter to inform them of the biggest changes to the electoral registration system in 100 years, to ensure they don’t lose their vote.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s electoral registration officer, Karen Brimacombe, has written to 134,500 people to inform them of the changes which came into effect on June 10.

Previously, the “head of household” was responsible for registering everyone who lived at an address.

The Minister of State for the Cabinet Office, Greg Clark, made an announcement on July 3, following the changes, to inform people that individuals will now be responsible for their own voter registration.

Individual Electoral Registration (IER) will give people more control and ownership over the process and increase the accuracy of the register – with the new system able to verify that everyone on the register is who they say they are.

Around 90 per cent of electors will automatically move onto the new register, however, some will need to take action to join or remain on it by registering.

Anyone new registering under the system will need to register themselves individually by filling out a paper or online form, with computers available at the council’s civic offices, in London Road, Basingstoke.

Mrs Brimacombe said: “The letter to residents explains the change to the electoral registration system and tells them if they have been automatically transferred to the new register or not.

“If they have not been transferred, they will need to provide some additional information and the letter says exactly what to do.”

For more information visit gov.uk/yourvotematters or the council’s website at basingstoke.gov.uk/go/voterregistration.

Anyone who has not received a letter by August 15 should contact the borough council’s election team by emailing or by calling 01256 845355 or 01256 845507.