House Visits as Annual Canvass Continues in South Tyneside
South Tyneside's annual canvass continues this month as elections officers hit the streets to ensure people are on the Electoral Register.
Officers are calling at the homes of residents who have yet to respond to the register of electors letters that were posted in July to help identify those who are entitled to vote.
Households were asked to respond where required and may have since received a phone call, email or text message reminding them to act.
By law, the Electoral Registration Officer must visit the homes of those residents who do not respond to the letters where required or to the reminder email or text message.
All Council staff calling at homes have an official identification badge featuring their photograph.
Where no contact can be made, staff are leaving a card urging householders to respond to the letter they have already received or to contact the Elections Team.
Canvass forms will be delivered to households where contact cannot be made after several attempts and where householders have not responded to the reminder cards.
Councillor Joan Atkinson, Deputy Leader of South Tyneside Council with responsibility for democratic renewal, said: "The Council has a duty to maintain an accurate electoral register and it is very important that all adults and young people over the age of 16 living in the Borough are on it.
"It is a requirement that we must visit the homes of those residents who do not respond to the canvass forms, emails or text messages. We are therefore urging residents to respond immediately to reduce the need for further house visits."
The Council publishes a new Register of Electors every year. The new register will be published on 1st December 2022.
For further information contact South Tyneside Council's Electoral Team on (0191) 424 7230or email elections@southtyneside.gov.uk
More details about electoral registration in South Tyneside is available on the Council's website at www.southtyneside.gov.uk/elections Visit www.gov.uk/yourvotematters for further information about the electoral registration system.