Don’t forget to register to vote

Aylesbury Vale residents have been asked to respond to letters regarding changes to the Individual Electoral Register because under the new system individuals are required by law to register even if they do not intend to vote.

Most people who are registered to vote have been automatically transferred to the new register and will not need to take any action but 17,000 people in Aylesbury Vale have been invited to re-register.

Reminder letters were sent out in August to residents who have not transferred to the new system and asked to provide some additional personal information and re-register on the new online system.

Any household which has still not registered will be visited by one of a team of council officials from this Friday, which will cost the council additional money.

Not registering to vote could affect your credit rating. To regiseter, visit www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.

Council officials will also be visiting households with new occupants to fill out an household enquiry form which must be returned. This is to confirm who lives in each household.

Residents that need to register on the new system are reminded that they can opt to have their personal details excluded from the open register, which is an extract of the electoral register. This will mean their details cannot be bought by individuals and commercial organisations. There is an opt out section on the form and if registering online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote click the checkbox if you do not want your name and address listed.

If you opted out of the open register and were automatically registered on the new individual electoral register you do not need to take any action.

For help and advice on registration, visit www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/elections or call 01296 585807.