Residents who would like to vote by post and aren’t already registered are being encouraged to apply for this year’s re-scheduled elections as soon as possible, to ensure that their applications are processed in plenty of time.
Plymouth will go to the polls on Thursday 5 May when residents will have their say on who will represent them on the City Council.
There are a number of ways you can have your say in May’s election - you can vote in person at a polling station, by post, or by appointing someone you trust to vote on your behalf, which is known as a proxy vote.
Council officers are putting in place sensible safety measures at all polling stations. We understand, however, that many people may prefer to have their say in the elections from the comfort of their own home. If this is how people want to vote, they are being urged to get their postal vote application in as soon as possible.
You must registered to vote by midnight on Thursday 14 April to be able to vote on 5 May. If you receive and pay Council Tax bills you are not automatically included on the register. People can check if their name appears on the register by calling 01752 304866.
If you want to vote by post or proxy, you must fill in a separate application form. To vote by post, your application must be received by the Council by 5pm on Tuesday 19 April. To vote by proxy, 5pm on Tuesday 26 April. You must be registered to vote before you can apply for a postal or proxy vote.
Tracey Lee, Chief Executive and Returning Officer for Plymouth City Council, said: “We want everyone to have their say on who represents them and on the important local issues that directly affect all our lives.
“A healthy democracy needs actively engaged voters – and you can’t vote if you aren’t registered.
“It is important that people cast their ballot and don’t miss out on the opportunity to have a voice on the local issues that affect the lives of all of us. So, I would urge everyone of voting age to take just a few minutes to ensure that they are registered to vote.”
For more information about the electoral process in Plymouth and how to register to vote or apply for a postal or proxy vote, people should visit the Council's website.