Register to vote
Are you registered to vote?
From 2 August 2010 voter registration forms will be delivered to every home in South Tyneside. The details you give us on the registration form will be used to update the information we have about who is registered to vote at your address.
The up-to-date register of electors will be published on 1 December 2010.
What do I need to do?
- When you receive your form it will show the details of the people currently on the register of electors for your address
- You should check that the details are correct, cross out the names of anyone who no longer lives at your address and add the names of any new residents (including any 16-or 17-year-olds)
- If you are moving house before 15 October leave the form for the new occupiers to fill in
- If you do not have a voter registration form for your new address phone us on 0191 424 7230 and we will send one out to you
- By law you must register to vote. You can sign and return your registration form or, if there are no changes to make, you can register over the phone, online or by text. If you don’t register, or you give false information on the form, you could be fined up to £1000.
What if I need to make changes to the form?
If you need to change any of the details, you should cross out the old details, add the new details in part 1 and include any 16-or 17-year-olds in part 2. Sign the form in part 5 and return it in the envelope provided.
What if I don't need to make any changes?
If there are no changes to make you can register in one of four ways:
- Over the phone
- Online
- By text
- By post (remember to sign part 5 of the form)
Every householder who returns their form, or registers over the phone, online or by text, by Friday 20 August 2010 will be entered into our prize draw to win £300.
If you have any questions, or need help filling in your voter registration form, contact us on 0191 424 7230.
Save time, money and the environment. Register immediately. Do not wait for a reminder or a visit from us.
Registering over the phone, online or by text
You should register over the phone, online or by text if:
- All of the names are correct
- You do not need to add or remove any names
- Each person’s nationality and details about jury service are correct, and
- You do not need to make any changes
To register over the phone, online or by text:
- Phone freephone 0808 161 7676
- Register online at www.register-online.co.uk or
- Text your unique reference number to 07624 802 252 (lines are open 24 hours a day and calls and texts from mobiles will be charged at standard network rates)
Please note:
- Remember to have your voter registration form with you as you need to use the unique reference number printed in the top right-hand corner of the form when you register online, over the phone or by text
- If you are registering online you also need to use the internet password printed in the top right-hand corner of the form
- You need a telephone with a hash key (#) or internet access
- Households with 6 or more people registered are not able to register over the phone, online or by text
- When you register over the phone or online you can tell us if someone:
- Does not want their name to show on the edited register
- Wants a postal voting application form
Registering by post
You should return the form by post if:
- You want to add new names, including any 16 or 17-year-olds
- You want to remove any names listed in part 1 on the form
- You want to make any other changes (for example change someone’s nationality, let us know that someone is over 70, or cancel a postal or proxy vote) or
- You do not have access to the internet or your telephone does not have a hash key (#)
Why should you register to vote?
Members of Parliament and local councillors represent you. They are elected by you to make decisions nationally locally. These decisions have an effect on your life, so make sure you have your right to vote by keeping the register up-to-date. If you don’t register you could lose your right to vote.
It’s also worth knowing that credit card, loan companies and banks check to see if your name is on the register of electors. If you are not registered you may not be able to open a bank account, get a credit card, mortgage or any other form of credit, loan or contract.
What’s the difference between the full and edited register?
We make two registers - the full register and the edited register of electors.
The full register lists the names and addresses of everyone who is registered to vote - we have a copy and anyone can look at it.
The edited register leaves out the names and addresses of people who have told us that they do not want to appear on this version. Anyone can buy a copy of the edited register and can use it for any purpose.
If you don’t want your name to show on the edited register please write ‘No’ in the edited register box on the voter registration form - you can also make changes to the edited register when you register online or over the phone.
This may prevent you from getting junk mail, as your details cannot be passed on.
16 and 17-year-olds
Every year nearly a quarter of young adults who should be included on the register of electors for the first time are left off.
Make sure their names are added to the voter registration form so that they can vote as soon as they turn 18.
All 16 and 17-year-olds added to forms returned by Friday 20 August 2010 will be entered into a prize draw, just for them, with a chance to win £150.
