The Register of Electors is a list of all the residents of Middlesbrough who are eligible to vote in elections.

The register is compiled each year from the information requested from householders during the Annual Canvass (August, September, October and November) and the new register is published on 1 December each year.

The register is not a static document, however. From January to September, we update the register using the Rolling Registration process. We add the names of new applicants, remove the names of electors who have died or moved away, and alter names, for example, where electors have married.

Click on the attached links for more information on the Annual Canvass and Rolling Registration.

If you do not appear on the register, or you believe your details are inaccurate please contact us.

If you move house we need to know your new details. Please complete the Voter Registration form.

The easiest way to check if you are on the register is to contact us, or you can call into the Town Hall and inspect the register.

To be on our register, you will need to meet the following qualifications:

• Resident in Middlesbrough
• A British, Commonwealth or Irish Citizen or a citizen of a European Union Member State
• 16 or 17 years of age or over - you will be able to vote as soon as you are 18

There are certain exceptions to the residency requirement, to help service personnel, British citizens living overseas and the homeless, and these are dealt with in the links to the right.

It gives you a say on important issues that affect you. Like it or not, politics has an influence on our lives every moment of every day... from our working life or having a drink in the pub to visiting the doctors or watching a football match.

This country is a democracy. Every day vital decisions, which effect all of our lives, are taken by Members of Parliament and local Councillors who are elected by the people. You are able to help to choose them!

Make sure you have your say and ensure that you get your right to vote. If you don’t you will lose your chance to have your say about how things are run in the country and in Middlesbrough. The only way you can vote in an election is if your name appears on the Register of Electors. So to vote in future Local, General or European elections get yourself registered.

If you don't register, you can't vote!

It’s also worth knowing:

• Every household is required by law to complete and return the Annual Canvass Registration form which is delivered to every home between August and October; failure to do so can carry a maximum fine of £1,000
• Failing to register may also affect your ability to get credit, open a bank account and apply for a mortgage, personal load or even a mobile telephone. Credit reference agencies, banks, building societies and mobile phone companies usually check the register before giving credit – you may be refused credit as well as losing your right to vote if your name does not appear
• The register is used by the government to assess how much money is given to the Council in the Revenue Support Grant - and, of course, that affects the services that we are able to provide for you
• It is important to note that you are not automatically registered, even if you are paying Council Tax.

Elections can be called at short notice, and if you're not registered you won't be able to vote. A UK Parliamentary general election, for example, can be called as late as 17 working days before election day, so don't wait until its too late – register today and you can definitely have your say.

Across the world people have died fighting for the right to vote and be part of a democracy. By registering to vote you'll be showing that you think that right is important. Think about it this way – in the UK, less than 100 years ago, people were killed during their struggles to get the vote for women. In South Africa, not until the end of apartheid in 1994 were black people able to vote for the first time. Today, many people across the world are still denied the right to vote.

Rolling Registration - Applying from December through to August

Follow the link for Rolling Registration for more information or simply download a Voter Registration application form from the download section on the right. Otherwise, you can contact Electoral Services on 01642 729771 to request the form. Complete and return the form to Electoral Services.

If you have moved to Middlesbrough, we will also tell the Elections Office of your old council area that you have moved so that your name can be taken off their register.

During an election period, there are special rules about adding names to the register. At such time, we need to receive an application on or before eleven working days before polling day.