With only five weeks to go until the voter registration deadline for local elections on May 1, anyone wanting to vote must make sure they are registered to do so.
Research shows that young people, students and those who have recently moved are less likely to be registered than others. The deadline to register to vote is midnight on Friday 11 April.
Voters can apply online at gov.uk/register-to-vote. It takes just five minutes.
Once registered, voters have a range of options – they can vote in person, by post or by appointing someone they trust to vote in their place, known as a proxy vote.
Voters going to a polling station will need to show photo ID, such as a passport or driving licence. To find out which ID you can use in the polling station, visit the Electoral Commission website.
If you do not have one of the accepted types of ID, you can apply for free ID at www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate or by completing and submitting a paper form to Cornwall Council.
Kate Kennally, Chief Executive of Cornwall Council and Returning Officer for Cornwall, said: “Don’t lose your chance to have your say in the Cornwall Council and town and parish council elections in May. Local elections are an important opportunity to have your say on who represents you and makes decisions about issues that directly affect day-to-day life here in Cornwall.
“If you’re in doubt about whether you need to register to vote, or have questions about how to apply for a postal or proxy vote, or free ID, you can contact Cornwall Council’s elections team on 01872 324 196 or email voter-registration@cornwall.gov.uk.
Niki Nixon, Director of Communications at the Electoral Commission, said: “It’s important that people check they’re ready to vote ahead of the upcoming local elections. All voters must be registered, and some may need to apply for a postal, proxy vote or free ID.
“If you’ve changed address or moved home since registering to vote at the general election last year, it takes just five minutes to update your details at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.
“Voters will also need to show photo ID at polling stations this May. Anyone who does not have one of the accepted forms of photo ID can apply for free ID online or by completing a paper form and submitting it to their local council.”
Information about voter ID can be found on the Electoral Commission’s website.
Find out more about the local elections and the different ways to vote on the Cornwall Council website.
The deadline to apply for a postal vote is 5pm on 14 April. The deadline to apply for a proxy vote is 5pm on 23 April.
Press released issued on March 3, 2025