Annual Canvas Continues Across South Tyneside

South Tyneside Council is calling on people to make sure they are on the Electoral Register to help protect their right to vote.

Residents across the Borough received a letter recently to help identify those who are entitled to vote. Residents were asked to check the details and respond online immediately where required.

From Friday 13 August, residents who did not respond to the letter where required, may now receive an email, text message or a telephone call from the Elections Team.

Residents who receive an email or text will be asked to respond online immediately, where they will be able to:

• amend a name;
• add the names and nationality of any new occupants at the address;
• remove the names of those who no longer live at the address;
• request a postal vote application form;
• make changes to the open register;
• confirm that no changes are needed.

Responding to the email or text message does not automatically register new occupiers to vote.  Anyone living at the address, who is not already registered, will also need to apply to register to vote.

People can apply to register to vote online via the gov.uk website, where they will be able to give all the details needed , including their date of birth and national insurance number. 

Those who do not apply to register online will be sent a paper form in the post.

Residents who receive a telephone call will be asked to give all the information required to register any new residents during the call.

By law, the Electoral Registration Officer must visit the homes of those residents who do not respond to the letters that have already been sent, or do not respond to the reminder email or text message.

John Rumney, South Tyneside's Returning Officer 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.

"We would advise people to look out for the email or text arriving and respond as soon as possible to protect their right to vote in local and general elections and in referendums.

"It is a requirement that we must visit the homes of those residents who do not respond to the letters, emails or text messages.  As the canvass is taking place during a challenging public health situation, we are urging residents to respond immediately. This will reduce the need for us to do house calls, helping us to keep our residents, staff and their families safe and to minimise the risk of spreading coronavirus."

Melanie Davidson, Head of Support and Improvement at the Electoral Commission, said "It's really important that everyone who is entitled to vote is able to do so. Checking the messages that you will get from your local authority is the easiest way to see if you're registered to vote. If you're not, make sure you provide the necessary information to your local authority when it is needed and register to vote online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote."

The Register of Electors will be used from 1 December 2021 to 30 November 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.