Elections - Voting

Make Your Voice Heard - Use Your Vote!

It is important to have a vote. It gives you the power and a voice to influence how your local area is run. Your vote gives you a say over what facilities and services will benefit your neighbourhood now and in the future.

As well as providing and managing services, the County Council is a major part of the system of local government and democracy in the County.

We are a democratically accountable body and are committed to increasing voter turnout and the level of democratic interest in the Council.

Are You Registered to Vote?

The Home Office are encouraging electors to take advantage of rules, which make it easier both to get on the electoral register and to vote by post. To vote in an election, your name needs to be on your local district council's electoral register. The register was previously updated only once a year in October, but the current system means that you can register to vote at any time.

The rolling register was introduced on 16 February 2001 and postal votes became available to everyone for the first time. See the Rolling Registration website for further information.

Please note that if you have recently moved or you are not registered in your area and you wish to vote in any local or national elections, you need to register with your local district council.

The Electoral Register

There are two versions of the electoral register on which you can include your details. They are called the Full Register and Edited Register.

Full Register

This lists the names and addresses of everyone who is entitled to vote and is updated every month. Anyone can look at the Full Register, but copies will only be supplied for purposes such as elections, law enforcement and credit reference. It is a criminal offence for anyone who has access to the Full Register to pass it onto anyone else or to use it for any purpose other than those specified by law.

Edited Register

If you choose to add your details, your name and address will appear on the Edited Register. This is available for general sale and can be used for any purpose including commercial activities such as direct marketing. This register is kept separately from the full register and is also updated every month.

How Do You Choose?

If you do not tick the relevant box on the registration form, your name and address details will appear on the Edited Register available for general sale.

If you would like details of your representatives in the British Parliaments, the County Council, District Council and Parish Council (if applicable), you can using our 'Durham Connects' service.

You can search for details of your representative in the European Parliament by searching the European Parliament website.