Are you registered to vote? Don't miss the chance to have your say

Letters will soon be dropping across the Borough to ensure residents don't lose the right to have their say in elections.

All local authorities keep an electoral register which is updated annually through a canvass of all residential properties.

And this year's canvass letters are due to arrive from Tuesday, 22 August.

Anyone registered to vote at an address should check their details and let Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council know about any changes.

If someone is not listed on the letter or someone has turned 16, they will need to apply to be added to the Electoral Register. You can do this by visiting the Government's register to vote web page.

From Friday, 25 August, canvassers from the Council will begin visiting households where the details we hold require checking.

The Council officers will have ID with them and will not ask to enter people's homes.

Councillor Bob Cook, Leader of Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, said: "Elections for the Tees Valley Mayor and the Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner will be held next May so it's really important that you complete the canvass letter, because if you're not on the Electoral Register you won't be able to vote in future elections.

"By law, every individual has to provide the information we request so please send it back as early as possible.

"Make sure you check the details carefully and apply to be added if you're not already. People who moved home in the last year, private and social housing tenants, and 16 and 17-year-olds are those most likely to be missing from the Electoral Register. Anyone aged 16 or over must also add their names to the register."

A new electoral register will be published on Friday, 1 December 2023 using information from this year's canvass.

For more information about registering to vote, or if you would like to vote by post then visit the Council's register to vote web page or call the voter registration helpline on 01642 526196.

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