New rules for voting
If you vote at a polling station you must now show photo identification (ID) before you can vote. This also applies to a proxy voting on your behalf. People voting by post do not need to provide ID. Please visit our Voter ID page for more information.
There are also new rules on who can hand in postal votes in England - for more information, please go to our voting by post page.
Voting in person at a polling station
If you are registered to vote we will send you a poll card as soon as possible after an election is announced. The poll card will confirm:
- your details on the electoral register;
- the date of polling day; and
- which polling station you can vote at on polling day.
However, at some parish or town council by-elections, that council may decide that they do not want poll cards issued.
Please note. If you change your registration details during the election period, this may affect your entitlement to vote at the election. The poll card may no longer be valid.
Please take your poll card with you to the polling station. It will help our staff to find your name on the electoral register.
You don't need to take your polling card with you to vote but you must take your photographic ID.
You must show photo identification (ID) before you can vote at a polling station. If you arrive at the polling station without valid ID, you will be asked to come back later with your ID. Please visit our Voter ID page for more information.
You can take your own pencil or pen with you to vote if you want to, but if you don't, a pencil will be provided.
You can view a map of the polling districts in Cornwall using our online mapping system.
When you get to the polling station:
- Give the poll clerk your name and address.
- Show your voter ID document to the poll clerk.
- They will check that you are registered to vote and check your photo ID. They will give you your ballot paper.
- You will be given one ballot paper.
- Choose the candidate you want to vote for and mark the ballot paper next to their name with an X in their box on the right hand side of the paper.
- Your ballot paper will say at the top how many candidates you can vote for. In most elections you will only be voting for one candidate, but check your ballot paper carefully.
- If you make a mistake or spoil your paper, you can take it back to the presiding officer and ask for another.
- When you have marked your vote, fold the ballot paper then put it in the ballot box and leave the polling station.
Postal voting
New rules on who can hand in postal votes now apply in England
All postal vote applications must now contain a National Insurance Number (NINo), or a reason if one is not provided.
You can now apply online to vote by post.
Handing in postal votes at a polling station?
If you are a political party or campaigner, you can now only hand in postal votes for your family members or people you provide care for. There are also limits to how many postal votes you can hand in.
You can hand in your postal ballot at a polling station or take it to New County Hall in Truro. In both cases, you will be asked to complete a form. Please note we are unable to accept postal ballots at any other Council offices.
Find out more on the Electoral Commission website.
Proxy voting
All proxy vote applications must now contain a National Insurance Number (NINo), or a reason if one is not provided.
You can now apply online to vote by proxy.
For more information, please go to our proxy voting page.
Voting by proxy means you appoint someone to vote for you at your polling station. You will need to tell your proxy which candidate(s) you wish to vote for.
Your proxy will normally be required to vote in person at your local polling station in the area where you are registered to vote.
Supporting vulnerable people to vote
Registering to vote
You can help someone with a physical disability who cannot write or type. You can type for them as long as they are present and can communicate that the information provided on the application is true.
Applications ask for the individuals date of birth and National Insurance number. You may need to make extra effort to obtain this information. For example, you may need to speak to a relative to obtain it.
Voting by post or by proxy
If a person is applying to vote by post, or already votes by post, and is unable to sign or to provide a signature in a consistent way, they can apply for a ‘signature waiver’ by contacting our Electoral Services team.
As an alternative, a person can appoint a proxy to vote for them at a polling station.
Our easy read booklet has more information for voters with a disability about voting by post or by proxy:
Voting at a polling station
If you need help to cast your vote, you can take a companion with you to assist you or you can ask the presiding officer for help.
You don't need to take your polling card with you to vote but you must take your photographic ID.
From 4 May 2023, you must show photo identification (ID) before you can vote at a polling station. If you arrive at the polling station without valid ID, you will be asked to come back later with your ID. Please visit our Voter ID page for more information.
There will be large print versions of the ballot paper on display at the polling station. A ‘tactile’ voting device will also be available to help blind and partially sighted voters complete their ballot paper at all polling stations.
If voters require support, the presiding officer can read out the candidates’ names and help the voter mark the ballot paper.
Other assistance may also be available as a result of changes made by the Elections Act 2022.
