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Elections - electoral register

A recent change to the law now means that you can add your name to the register of electors at any time throughout the year.

If you do not register then you cannot exercise your democratic right to vote in any election. It is also much harder to obtain credit if you are not on the Register.

You can check the Electoral Register at 17 Claypath, Durham, DH1 1RH during normal office hours.

Alternatively you can contact the Electoral Services Section who will check the register for you.

The edited register leaves out the names and addresses of people who have asked for them to be excluded from that version of the register. The edited register can be bought by anyone who asks for a copy, and they may use it for any purpose.

If you are not on the published register, all you need to do is complete a voter registration form which can be downloaded from the following address: www.rollingregistration.co.uk You need to sign your own form - someone else cannot do it for you.

When you send us your completed, signed form we will add you to our list of new applications and notify you of the date when your details will be added to the register.

We will also tell the Electoral Registration Officer for your old address that you have moved, so that your name can be removed from that register. People who live at two homes (including students) are allowed to register at both. If you do not want to be removed from your other address, please explain why on your form.

There are special rules about names being added to the voters list during an election period. Because of these you may not be able to vote at that election if you are added during this time. The cut-off date to make application to have your name added to the Electoral Register in the run up to an election is 11 working days before the date of the election.

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Other pages you may find useful

• Elections - voting (PID 362)