Registered to vote? Don't be one of the 'missing millions'

All local authorities keep an electoral roll and update it annually through a canvass of all residential properties. The canvass ensures that people who are eligible to vote can do so in future elections.

In August, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council began its canvass by posting household enquiry letters asking people to confirm or update individuals' details at their address.

From Tuesday, 10 September until mid-October, the Council will be sending canvassers to all households in the Borough that have not responded to those letters. They will have ID badges with them at all times and will not need to enter people's homes.

Leader of Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, Councillor Bob Cook, said: "It is really important that everyone entitled to vote is on the Electoral Register. Anyone who is not registered will not be able to have their say in future elections.

"There are millions of people across the country who are missing from the Electoral Register and we know those are most likely to be people who have moved home in the last year, private and social housing tenants, and 16 and 17 years olds. Although they cannot vote until they are 18, they still have to add their names to the register.

"By law, every individual has to provide this information, so I would encourage everyone who hasn't registered yet to do so as soon as possible."

A new electoral register will be published on 1 December, 2019 using information from this canvass.

For more information about registering to vote, visit Elections and voting or call the Council's Voter Registration helpline on 01642 526196.