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 6 May. Residents will have their say on who will represent them on the City Council and the next Police and Crime Commissioner. Plans are well underway to help you stay safe while casting your vote.
There are a number of ways you can have your say in May’s elections - 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 Monday 19 April to be able to vote on 6 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 20 April. To vote by proxy, 5pm on Tuesday 27April. 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.
“We have been planning for these elections for some time to make sure that however people choose to vote, they can do so safely. We’re putting arrangements in place to help everyone stay safe at polling stations. People can expect many of the measures they’ve become used to in shops and banks over recent months, such as hand sanitiser, floor markings and face masks. There will also be a queuing system and of course social distancing.
“However, if people are worried, they have the option to register by post but must do so by the deadline of 5pm on Tuesday 20 April. We are expecting a lot of people to register for the first time so please do not wait until the last minute. Apply now and make sure your application is dealt with in plenty of time.”
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: