Electors in Havant Borough run the risk of dropping off the electoral roll as changes are being made to the way we register to vote.
Residents will receive letters informing them of the new system called Individual Electoral Registration (IER) from August 15.
Most people will automatically remain registered and will receive a confirmation letter. However some will not and they will need to re-register by filling in and returning the form they will receive or by going online. Register online at: www.gov.uk/register-to-vote
If you are not on the electoral roll you will not be able to vote in local and national elections and you may not be able to get credit.
The Government has introduced Individual Electoral Registration to make the voting system more secure and reduce the chance of electoral fraud.
Under IER everyone has become responsible for registering themselves. Under the old system the head of household could register everyone who lived at their address.
Electors also need to provide a few more details to register namely their national insurance number and date of birth.
Havant Borough Council Chief Executive Sandy Hopkins said: The right to vote and have a say on who represents you is a vital freedom we must take care to protect.
Individual Electoral Registration will help safeguard our democracy but it is now up to each resident to make sure they are on the electoral roll.
Look out for your letter from Havant Borough Council and if you are not on the roll please make sure you return your form or register online.
Register online at: www.gov.uk/register-to-vote or contact Havant Borough Councils Electoral Services on 023 9244 6225/6226 or email: elections.office@havant.gov.uk
