The way you register to vote is changing. In Reigate & Banstead around 12,000 residents may need to take action to join the new electoral register, even if they were registered in the past. We will be writing to you about the changeover this summer. It’s important that you look out for the letter as it will tell what action you need to take.  

About the change

The voter registration system has changed in June 2014 and is known as Individual Electoral Registration. Previously, the ‘head of household’ was responsible for registering everyone who lived at an address, but now every individual is responsible for their own registration.

Register online

The new system means that for the first time you can register online, making it much quicker and more convenient. To register, you will need to provide a few more details, including your National Insurance number and date of birth. This is to help make the electoral register more secure. Most people who are already registered will be transferred automatically to the new register. However around 12,000 people will need to re-register, for example if you have just moved home. There are also people in the area who are not registered to vote at all and so need to register to have their say in elections.

As well as not being able to vote, it can also make it more difficult to get things like credit, a mortgage or a mobile phone contract. To find out more and register online visit the government's Your Vote Matters webpage.