Individual Electoral Registration
Template text to use in written
communications
To encourage response to letter (write-out period)
England and Wales – July to August 2014
Scotland – October to November 2014
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Template text to use in written
communications – write-out
The purpose of this document and how to use it:
This text can be used during the write-out in communications you actively provide to
give an overview of and encourage registration. It explains what the write-out is and
what people need to do to respond to it. For example, you may want to provide this text
to partners you are working with to use in their communications for the write-out, or you
may want to print out hand-outs for frontline staff working with target groups around the
write-out.
There are a number of versions of the template text because our message testing with
the public [link] found that certain aspects of the new system were more motivational to
different target audiences. The versions are:
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Generic, for use with the public across audiences
Homemovers and renters
Students
Young adults
Transient renters and communal residences
See also:
FAQs for more detailed text on the new system and registration, which should be used
in response to queries.
Leaflets on how to register that can be used throughout the transition.
Generic
Make sure you’re still registered to vote. Look out for a letter that will
tell you whether you need to take action
You may need to take action to join the new register, even if you are currently registered.
We are writing to people to tell them if they need to re-register. Look out for a letter that
will tell you what to do.
Your vote matters. Make sure you’re in.
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What do I need to do?
1. Look out for your letter
If you are registered to vote at the moment, you will receive a letter between xx and xx.
This letter will tell you whether you need to take action to join the new register.
If you weren’t registered previously, you can register under the new system at
www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.
The letter will look something like this:
2. Respond to the letter if you are asked to
Most people who are currently registered have been added to the new register
automatically. The letter will tell you if you’ve already been added to the new register
and don’t have to do anything.
Some people have not been added to the new register automatically. These people will
need to re-register. The letter will tell you if you are in this group, and what you need to
do to re-register.
What should I do if I need to re-register?
If the letter you receive tells you that you need to re-register, you should follow the
instructions in the letter. It will ask you to fill in and return the included form, or go online
to register using the new online registration site.
What should I do if I don’t get a letter?
If you haven’t received a letter about registration by [insert date after completion of
write-out delivery] then you should contact local electoral registration staff for
information on whether or not you need to do anything.
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About the new registration system
The new system is called Individual Electoral Registration. It means:
-
-
Everyone has become responsible for registering themselves. Under the old
system the ‘head of household’ could register everyone who lived at their
address.
You can now register online
You need to provide a few more details to register – your national insurance
number and date of birth. This is to make the electoral register more secure.
Why should I register under the new system?
It’s really important that you respond to the letter if it asks you to take action. You need
to register in order to be able to vote. If you aren’t registered to vote, you won’t have the
chance to have a say on who represents you.
Some people also register to vote because they want to apply for credit. This is because
credit reference agencies use the register to check where someone lives when they
apply for credit in order to prevent fraud.
Not only will you not be able to have a say at future elections and some referendums,
but if you don’t respond to requests for information from us you could be at risk of
getting fined £80.
Movers and renters
Moved home recently? Make sure you’re still registered to vote.
The way you register to vote is changing. If you have moved home recently, you may
need to re-register in order to vote. Look out for your letter that will tell you what to do.
Your vote matters. Make sure you’re in.
What do I need to do?
1. Look out for your letter
If you are registered to vote at the moment, you will receive a letter between xx and xx.
This letter will tell you whether you need to take action to join the new register.
If you weren’t registered previously, you can register under the new system at
www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.
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The letter will look something like this:
2. Respond to the letter if you are asked to
Most people who are currently registered have been added to the new register
automatically. If the letter tells you that you are on the new register, you do not need to
do anything.
Some people have not been added to the new register automatically, particularly people
who have moved home in the last 18 months. These people will need to re-register. The
letter will tell you what to do.
What should I do if I need to re-register?
If the letter you receive tells you that you need to re-register, you should follow the
instructions in the letter. It will ask you to fill in and return the included form, or go online
to register using the new online registration site.
What should I do if I don’t get a letter?
If you haven’t received a letter about registration by [insert date after completion of
write-out delivery] then you should contact local electoral registration staff for
information on whether or not you need to do anything.
About the new registration system
The new system is called Individual Electoral Registration. It means:
-
-
Everyone has become responsible for registering themselves. Under the old
system the ‘head of household’ could register everyone who lived at their
address.
You can now register online
You need to provide a few more details to register – your national insurance
number and date of birth. This is to make the electoral register more secure.
5
Why should I register under the new system?
It’s really important that you respond to the letter if it asks you to take action. You need
to register in order to be able to vote. If you aren’t registered to vote, you won’t have the
chance to have a say on who represents you.
If you don’t respond to requests for information from us you could be at risk of getting
fined £80.
Young adults / attainers
Aged 18 to 24? Make sure you don’t lose your vote.
The registration system is changing and you may need to re-register to vote. It’s quick
and easy to do and you can do it online. We are writing to people to tell them if they
need to re-register Look out for a letter that will tell you what you need to do.
You need to be registered in order to be able to vote. Voting is an important right that
allows you to have your say in how things are run. Many young people are missing from
the register, which means that they are unable to vote and unable to have this say. It’s
your right and responsibility to ensure that you are registered.
Your vote matters. Make sure you’re in.
What do I need to do?
1. Look out for your letter
If you are registered to vote at the moment, you will receive a letter between xx and xx.
This letter will tell you whether you need to take action to join the new register. No-one
else can do this for you. It’s your right and responsibility to ensure that you are
registered so it’s important that you take any action the letter tells you to. If you weren’t
registered previously, you can register under the new system at www.gov.uk/register-tovote.
The letter will look something like this:
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2. Respond to the letter if it asks you to
Most people who are currently registered have been added to the new register
automatically. The letter will tell you if you’ve already been added to the new register
and don’t have to do anything.
Some people have not been added to the new register automatically. These people will
need to re-register. The letter will tell you if you are in this group, and what you need to
do to re-register.
What should I do if I need to re-register?
If the letter you receive tells you that you need to re-register, you should follow the
instructions in the letter. It will ask you to fill in and return the included form, or go online
to register using the new online registration site.
What should I do if I don’t get a letter?
If you haven’t received a letter about registration by [insert date after completion of
write-out delivery] then you should contact local electoral registration staff for
information on whether or not you need to do anything.
About the new registration system
The new system is called Individual Electoral Registration. It means:
-
-
Everyone has become responsible for registering themselves. Under the old
system the ‘head of household’ could register everyone who lived at their
address.
You can now register online
You need to provide a few more details to register – your national insurance
number and date of birth. This is to make the electoral register more secure.
7
Why should I register under the new system?
It’s really important that you respond to the letter if it asks you to take action. You need
to register in order to be able to vote. If you aren’t registered to vote, you won’t have the
chance to have a say on who represents you.
If you don’t respond to requests for information from us you could be at risk of getting
fined £80.
Students
Busy studying? It won’t take long to make sure you don’t lose your
vote.
The registration system is changing and you may need to re-register to vote. It’s quick
and easy to do and you can do it online. We are writing to people to tell them if they
need to re-register. Look out for a letter that will tell you how.
You need to be registered in order to be able to vote. Voting is an important right that
allows you to have your say in how things are run. Many students are missing from the
register, which means that they are unable to vote and unable to have this say. It’s your
right and responsibility to ensure that you are registered. Look out for a letter that will
tell you what to do.
Your vote matters. Make sure you’re in.
What do I need to do?
1. Look out for your letter
If you are registered to vote at the moment, you will receive a letter between xx and xx.
This letter will tell you whether you need to take action to join the new register. No-one
else can do this for you. It’s your right and responsibility to to ensure that you are
registered so it’s important that you take any action the letter tells you to.
If you weren’t registered previously, you can register under the new system at
www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.
The letter will look something like this:
8
2. Respond to the letter if it asks you to
Most people who are currently registered have been added to the new register
automatically. If the letter tells you that you are on the new register, you do not need to
do anything.
Some people have not been added to the new register automatically, particularly some
students. These people will need to re-register. The letter will tell you if you are in this
group, and what you need to do to re-register.
What should I do if I need to re-register?
If the letter you receive tells you that you need to re-register, you should follow the
instructions in the letter. It will ask you to fill in and return the included form, or go online
to register using the new online registration site.
What should I do if I don’t get a letter?
If you haven’t received a letter about registration by [insert date after completion of
write-out delivery] then you should contact local electoral registration staff for
information on whether or not you need to do anything.
About the new registration system
The new system is called Individual Electoral Registration. It means:
-
-
Everyone has become responsible for registering themselves. Under the old
system the ‘head of household’ could register everyone who lived at their
address.
You can now register online
You need to provide a few more details to register – your national insurance
number and date of birth. This is to make the electoral register more secure.
9
Why should I register under the new system?
It’s really important that you respond to the letter if it asks you to take action. You need
to register in order to be able to vote. If you aren’t registered to vote, you won’t have the
chance to have a say on who represents you.
If you don’t respond to requests for information from us you could be at risk of getting
fined £80.
Transient renters and communal residences
Changed address recently? Make sure you’re still registered to vote.
The way you register to vote is changing. If you have changed address recently you are
more likely to need to take action to join the new register, even if you were registered in
the past. We are writing to people to tell them if they need to re-register. Look out for a
letter that will tell you what to do.
Your vote matters. Make sure you’re in.
What do I need to do?
1. Look out for your letter
If you are registered to vote at the moment, you will receive a letter between xx and xx.
This letter will tell you whether you need to take action to join the new register.
If you weren’t registered previously, you can register under the new system at
www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.
The letter will look something like this:
10
2. Respond to the letter if you are asked to
Most people who are currently registered have been added to the new register
automatically. If the letter tells you that you are on the new register, you do not need to
do anything.
Some people have not been added to the new register automatically, particularly people
who have recently changed address. These people will need to re-register. The letter
will tell them what to do.
What should I do if I need to re-register?
If the letter you receive tells you that you need to re-register, you should follow the
instructions in the letter. It will ask you to fill in and return the included form, or go online
to register using the new online registration site.
What should I do if I don’t get a letter?
If you haven’t received a letter about registration by [insert date after completion of
write-out delivery] then you should contact local electoral registration staff for
information on whether or not you need to do anything.
About the new registration system
The new system is called Individual Electoral Registration. It means:
-
-
Everyone has become responsible for registering themselves. Under the old
system the ‘head of household’ could register everyone who lived at their
address.
You can now register online
You need to provide a few more details to register –your national insurance
number and date of birth. This is to make the electoral register more secure.
Why should I register under the new system?
It’s really important that you respond to the letter if it asks you to take action. You need
to register in order to be able to vote. If you aren’t registered to vote, you won’t have the
chance to have a say on who represents you.
If you don’t respond to requests for information from us you could be at risk of getting
fined £80.
11
New to UK
New to the UK? If you receive a letter inviting you to register to vote
it’s really important you respond.
The registration system in this county is changing, so even if you have registered to
vote before, you may need to take action to join the new register. We are writing to
people to tell them if they need to re-register. Look out for a letter that will tell you what
to do.
Your vote matters. Make sure you’re in.
What do I need to do?
1. Look out for your letter
If you are registered to vote at the moment, you will receive a letter between xx and xx.
This letter will tell you whether you need to take action to join the new register.
If you weren’t registered previously, you can register under the new system at
www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.
The letter will look something like this:
2. Respond to the letter if you are asked to
Most people who are currently registered have been added to the new register
automatically. If the letter tells you that you are on the new register, you do not need to
do anything.
Some people have not been added to the new register automatically, particularly people
who have recently changed address. These people will need to re-register. The letter
will tell them what to do.
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Am I eligible (allowed) to register?
You can register to vote if you are: 16 years old or over and a British citizen or an Irish,
qualifying Commonwealth or European Union citizen who is resident in the UK.
To qualify, Commonwealth citizens must be resident in the UK and either have leave to
enter or remain in the UK or not require such leave. The definition of a 'Commonwealth
citizen' includes citizens of British Crown Dependencies and British Overseas Territories.
Citizens of the European Union (who are not Commonwealth citizens or Citizens of the
Republic of Ireland) are able to vote in European and local elections in the UK, elections
to the Scottish Parliament and Welsh and Northern Ireland Assemblies (if they live in
those areas) and some referendums (based on the rules for the particular referendum)
but are not able to vote in UK Parliamentary general elections.
What should I do if I need to re-register?
If the letter you receive tells you that you need to re-register, you should follow the
instructions in the letter. It will ask you to fill in and return the included form, or go online
to register using the new online registration site.
What should I do if I don’t get a letter?
If you haven’t received a letter about registration by [insert date after completion of
write-out delivery] then you should contact local electoral registration staff for
information on whether or not you need to do anything.
About the new registration system
The new system is called Individual Electoral Registration. It means:
-
-
Everyone has become responsible for registering themselves. Under the old
system the ‘head of household’ could register everyone who lived at their
address.
You can now register online
You need to provide a few more details to register – your national insurance
number and date of birth. This is to make the electoral register more secure.
Why should I register under the new system?
It’s really important that you respond to the letter if it asks you to take action. You need
to register in order to be able to vote. If you aren’t registered to vote, you won’t have the
chance to have a say on who represents you.
If you don’t respond to requests for information from us you could be at risk of getting
fined £80.
13
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