The notices of election for the Plymouth City Council and Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner elections on Thursday 2 May have been published.
Anyone wishing to stand in either election needs to submit a nomination paper before 4pm on Friday 5 April.
Copies of the nomination papers can be downloaded from the election pages on the Council’s website or by emailing elections@plymouth.gov.uk
Residents are also being reminded to make sure they are registered to vote in this year’s elections and have eligible photo ID.
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.
Registering to vote only takes five minutes and can be done online. Once registered you will be placed onto the electoral register. However, you will need to register again if you’ve changed your name, address or nationality.
Once registered, you can request for postal vote application online. Having a postal vote means that a postal ballot pack containing your ballot paper will be sent to your home, so you can vote via post, avoiding the need to go to a polling station. If you’re unable to vote in person you can apply for a proxy vote and ask someone to vote on your behalf.
All registered voters in Plymouth will also need to show an eligible photographic ID to vote in person at a polling station.
Accepted forms of ID include a UK, European Economic Area (EEA) or Commonwealth passport; a full or provisional UK, EEA or Commonwealth drivers’ licence; some concessionary travel passes, such as an older person’s bus pass and a blue badge.
Anyone who does not have one of the accepted forms of ID can apply for free Voter Authority Certificate online or by completing a paper form which is available from the Council.
The deadlines are:
- Deadline to register to vote: 16 April (midnight)
- Deadline to apply or change a postal vote: 17 April (5pm)
- Deadline to apply for Voter ID certificate: 24 April (5pm)
- Deadline to apply for a proxy vote: 24 April (5pm)
More information on registering to vote, what voter ID will be accepted or how to apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate is available on the the Council’s website.
Anyone not able to visit the website or apply for a Voter Authority Certificate online can contact the Council by calling 01752 304866 or emailing: ero@plymouth.gov.uk