Sign up to the Register of Electors
South Tyneside Council's Elections Team will hit the streets over the coming weeks to ensure people are on the Electoral Register as part of the Borough's annual canvass.
Elections officers will be calling at the homes of residents who have yet to respond to the register of electors canvass forms that were posted in July to help identify those who are entitled to vote.
Households receiving a canvass form were asked to respond regardless if the information held was correct and may have since received a phone call, email or text message reminding them to act now.
By law, the Electoral Registration Officer must visit the homes of those residents who do not respond to the canvass forms or do not respond to the reminder email or text message.
All Council staff calling at homes will have an official identification badge featuring their photograph and will wear protective gloves.
Where no contact can be made, staff will leave a reminder canvass form and a pink card urging householders to respond.
Councillor Tracey Dixon, 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. As this year's canvass is taking place during a challenging public health situation, we will be taking account of public health guidelines including the importance of social distancing. This will help us to keep our residents, staff and their families safe and to minimise the risk of spreading the virus."
The Council publishes a new Register of Electors every year. The new register will be published on 1st December 2020.
For further information contact South Tyneside Council's Electoral Team on (0191) 424 7230 or 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.