Residents are due to receive a letter from Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council explaining a new voter registration system.

The council has written to everyone on the electoral register and voters should look out for the letter which will tell them what they need to do to register.

It explains that a new system is being introduced to replace the old one where the ‘head of household’ registered everyone living in a property.

Now, each individual will be responsible for registering themselves.

The council describes the ‘open register’, the version of the electoral register that’s available to anyone who wants to buy a copy and will explain how residents can opt out of, or into, the open register by contacting the council.

Most residents will automatically move onto the new electoral register. However, some may need to take action to join or remain on it, which they can do for the first time by registering online.

Anyone who has not received a letter by mid-August is not registered to vote. Residents who are not registered will be able to apply to register to vote by completing the form at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

The next scheduled elections are due to take place on May, 7 2015 when there will be borough, parish and parliamentary elections.

More information can be found at www.tmbc.gov.uk/voting