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                                         LOCAL ELECTIONS 2010
     The next local elections in South Tyneside are likely to be held on Thursday 6th May 2010

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MAKING YOUR VOTE COUNT

WHY VOTE?
Voting is the most important way to make your voice heard on the issues that concern you and gives you an opportunity to have your say on things you care about. By voting you are also deciding who will take decisions on issues affecting your everyday life.

Decisions are made on your behalf every day, these include: what’s happening in local schools, what recreational facilities you have, your healthcare, education and learning, services for the elderly, employment, policing, housing, refuse collection, street cleaning, planning, street lighting and maintenance of our parks and green spaces etc. The best way to ensure that those making decisions on your behalf are held accountable is to use your vote. 

If you’re interested in what goes on in your borough, your street and your home, make council business your business ... GET INVOLVED, USE YOUR VOTE!

REGISTERING TO VOTE
You must be on the electoral register to vote in elections. If you filled in the registration form delivered to your home in August or have since completed a 'Rolling Registration' form you should already be on the electoral register. But if you think you may not be registered, for example, if you have recently moved home, then you need to register to vote. You can register to vote in future elections at any time of the year.

WHAT IS ROLLING REGISTRATION?
The Register of Electors is operated on a system of "Rolling Registration" which means that the register is updated every month from 1st January until 1st September. If you are not already registered to vote you can obtain a Rolling Registration form from the Elections Office on: 
 0191 424 7230 or alternatively you can download a form from here.

Please note: paying council tax does not mean that you are on the Register of Electors.

AM I REGISTERED TO VOTE?
To find out if you are already registered to vote, contact the Electorals Office on 0191 424 7230 or by email at elections@southtyneside.gov.uk

THE NEW ELECTORAL REGISTER 
Every August electoral registration forms are delivered to every home in South Tyneside. The details you provide on your registration form will be used to update the information about who is registered to vote at your address. The revised register of electors will be published each in December.

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 and cross out the names of anyone who no longer lives at your address. You should also add the names of anyone who should be included on the register of electors, including any 16 or 17 year olds.

By law you must return your registration form or register by telephone or internet, failure to do so or to give false information could result in a £1000 fine. 

CHANGING YOUR DETAILS 
When you receive your annual registration form in the Autumn you must check the pre-printed details on the form. If there are no changes you can register in one of the following ways:

By Telephone:
You will need a telephone with a * button and you must enter your two part security code, which can be found on the top right hand corner of the form.

To register by telephone please call: 0800 197 5827. You will be charged for calls from mobiles.

Online:
You will need internet access and you must enter your two part security code, which can be found on the top right hand corner of the form.

To register on-line please visit: www.registerbyinternet.com/southtyneside

Please note:
Households with 5 or more people registered are not able to use the telephone or internet services.

By Post
Sign the form and return it in the FREEPOST envelope provided.