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How to vote

Vote in person

To be able to vote, you must be on the electoral register. You vote in person at a polling station (usually in a public building, such as a school or local hall).

Your poll card

You'll receive a poll card that includes your name, address and elector number.

It will tell you:

  • the date of the election
  • polling hours (polling hours are between 7am and 10pm)
  • the location of your polling station (you can only vote at the polling station on your card).

If you have not received a poll card but think you should, email ero@plymouth.gov.uk or call 01752 304866. You can still vote if you have lost your card.

Voter ID

From 4 May 2023, everyone voting at a polling station will need to show a form of photo ID. This will apply to:

  • Local elections
  • Police and Crime Commissioner elections
  • UK parliamentary by-elections
  • Recall petitions
  • From October 2023 it will also apply to UK General elections

The full list of accepted forms of photo ID can be found here. You can still use your photo ID if it's out of date, as long as the photograph looks like you. The name on your ID should be the same name you used to register to vote.

If you don't have accepted photo ID, you can apply for a free voter ID document, which is known as a Voter Authority Certificate (VAC). You can apply for a VAC here.

The deadline for VAC applications is at 5pm, six working days before election day.

Voter ID will NOT apply to postal or postal proxy voting.

When you get to a polling station

Give the staff your poll card or tell them your name and address. They will check you're registered, mark their register and give you a ballot paper.

Filling in your ballot paper

Follow the instructions on the notices in the polling booth and on the top of the ballot paper to vote.

You should put no other mark on the ballot paper or your vote may not be counted. Fold the ballot paper in two and post in the ballot box.

Vote by proxy

If you’re unable to vote in person you can ask someone to vote on your behalf. This is called a proxy vote.

How long is your proxy vote for

You can apply to vote by proxy:

  • for a single election on a specific date
  • for a specific period
  • permanently

Who can act as a proxy

You can ask anyone to act as your proxy - as long as they:

  • are registered to vote
  • are allowed to vote in the type of election taking place
  • can vote in the polling station stated on your poll card

If they would prefer to exercise their proxy role by post, then they will need to apply to vote by post as proxy.

Apply for a proxy vote

Proxy voting application forms must be received by 5pm, six working days before polling day.

Return your completed application form by either:

  • Email: ero@plymouth.gov.uk
  • Post:
    The Electoral Registration Office
    Plymouth City Council
    Ballard House
    West Hoe Road
    Plymouth
    PL1 3BJ

Change or cancel your proxy vote

You can change or cancel your proxy vote before 5pm, 11 working days before an election.
This includes:

  • Changes of address for delivery of ballot paper
  • Cancellation of a postal vote
  • Change from proxy to postal

Vote by post

To be able to vote by post, you must be on the electoral register. You must apply for a postal vote if you want to vote by post.

Apply for a postal vote

You can apply for a postal vote for one of the following:

  • a single election on a specific date
  • a specific election
  • permanently

To qualify for an election we have to receive your application form by 5pm, 11 working days before polling day.

Return your completed application form by either:

  • Email: ero@plymouth.gov.uk
  • Post:
    The Electoral Registration Office
    Plymouth City Council
    Ballard House
    West Hoe Road
    Plymouth
    PL1 3BJ

Change or cancel your postal vote

You can change or cancel your postal vote before 5pm, 11 working days before an election.

This includes:

  • Changes of address for delivery of ballot paper
  • Cancellation of a postal vote
  • Change from postal to proxy

Replace a lost or damaged ballot paper

Your ballot paper needs to clearly display your details and voting choice. If it has been damaged you need to get another one.

You can get a replacement ballot paper by:

  • asking us to send a replacement by emailing ero@plymouth.gov.uk or calling 01752 304866
  • collecting a replacement up to 5pm on election day from:
    The Electoral Registration Office
    Plymouth City Council
    Ballard House
    West Hoe Road
    Plymouth
    PL1 3BJ

You cannot vote at a polling station if you registered to vote by post but your ballot paper was lost or damaged.

Voting if you have a disability

Plymouth City Council offers a range of support to disabled voters, including voters with a learning disability.

Most of our polling stations:

  • are wheelchair accessible and we provide ramps where needed
  • have a polling booth adapted for wheelchair users
  • have large print versions of ballot paper
  • doorbells at the entrance to the polling station if you need help

You are welcome to bring someone you trust to the polling station to help you complete your ballot paper.

Voters with a visual impairment

Tactile voting device

Each polling station will have a tactile voting device. This is a plastic device that is fixed onto the ballot paper so visually impaired people or those with limited dexterity can mark their ballot paper in secret. Please ask the polling station staff if you need to use the device.

Large print version of the ballot paper

Large print versions of the ballot paper will be available in the polling station. You can take a copy to the polling booth with you. You can't vote on the large print version but it can be used for reference.

Guides for voters with a learning disability

You can download easy read guides about voting and registering to vote:

GOV.UK Easy read guide to registering to vote

Support from the Presiding Officer

You can also ask the Presiding Officer to assist in casting your vote. The polling station staff are legally bound by the Requirement for Secrecy and your vote will remain secret.

If you know which candidate you wish to vote for, you can instruct the Presiding Officer in the privacy of the polling booth, they will mark the ballot paper(s) according to your instructions.