Register to Vote

With only three weeks until the registration deadline, residents are encouraged to make sure they are ready to vote ahead of elections on Thursday 2 May 2024.

South Tyneside residents will go to the polls on 2 May with seats in all 18 wards across South Tyneside Council being contested. They will also elect a Mayor for the newly created North East Mayoral Combined Authority and the Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner.

To vote in the elections, residents must be on the Electoral Register. Those who have not registered to vote at their current address need to make sure they are registered by the Tuesday 16 April deadline. Anyone can apply online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

Those intending to vote at polling stations also need to show photo ID - a requirement introduced as part of the UK Government's Elections Act, passed in 2022.

Those that do not have eligible ID can apply for free voter ID at www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate or by completing a paper form.

Jonathan Tew, South Tyneside's Returning Officer, said: "Elections are an important opportunity for people to have their say on who makes decisions about issues that directly affect their day-to-day life in South Tyneside.

"To be able to vote though, residents must be on the electoral register. With less than a month to go, time is running out for voters to make sure they can vote in the elections on 2 May. Unfortunately, those who are not registered by midnight on 16 April, will not be able to take part.

"For those who have recently turned 18 or moved house, it is particularly important to make sure they are correctly registered to vote."

Jonathan added: "Residents who do not have one of the accepted forms of ID can apply for free ID either online or by completing a paper application form and sending this to the Council's elections team.

"The alternative to voting in person at a polling station is to vote by post. Residents do not need photo ID to do this. It's really easy to apply for a postal vote and there is a wealth of information on the Council's website at www.southtyneside.gov.uk/elections on how to do this."

The Council is encouraging anyone who does not want to show ID in a polling station to apply for a postal vote before the deadline of 5pm on Wednesday 17 April. Apply online at www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote

Residents can also request an application form by calling (0191) 427 7000 or emailing South Tyneside's Election Team at elections@southtyneside.gov.uk

Jackie Killeen, Director of Electoral Administration and Guidance, said: "Anyone voting at a polling station will need to show photo ID before they can be given their ballot paper.

"It's important that everyone understands what types of ID they can use, and how to apply for free ID if they need it. You can find information about the new requirement and what to expect at the polling station, on the Electoral Commission's website."

The full list of accepted ID is available at electoralcommission.org.uk/voterID along with more information about the new requirement and details of how to apply for the free ID.

Anyone who needs help with applying for the free ID or wants to request an application form, can contact the Customer Contact Centre on (0191) 427 7000.

However, voters wishing to apply for free ID should make sure they are registered to vote first at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote