Local Elections 2025 – Everything you need to know

The next Cornwall Council and parish/town council elections will take place on Thursday 1 May 2025.

All 20 seats across the four wards of Penzance Parish will be contested:

Penzance Council would like to encourage members of the community to stand as prospective councillors, and for as many people as possible to get out and vote on Thursday 1 May 2025.

On this page, you will find everything you need to know to do both.

Register to Vote

In order to vote in the 2025 Local Elections and have your say on where you live, you must be on the electoral register.

Penzance Council is urging everyone who has not registered at their current address to make sure they are registered in time, by Friday 11 April.

Find out how to register to vote:

Be a Councillor

Councillors can make a huge difference to the quality of life of local people and how local issues are dealt with.

Penzance Council needs people from all backgrounds and experiences who reflect the communities they serve to put themselves forward for election.

Find out how to be a councillor:

Timetable of Local Elections 2025

Friday 14th March – Notice of Election

Cornwall Council will call the local elections and issue the Notice of Election to the clerk for display. These should be displayed in public areas and on the council’s website to encourage people to stand as candidates.

Friday 14th March – Pre-Election Period (PEP) begins

Formerly known as Political Purdah.

Friday 14th March – Councillor nomination packs available

Nomination packs for candidates in the local elections can be collected from Penzance Council, Penlee Centre, Penlee Park, Penzance TR18 4HE. Tel: 01736 363405

Wednesday 2nd April – Deadline for submission of nomination papers

Nominations papers must be submitted in person by the candidate or their representative at a Cornwall Council designated elections office no later than 4pm.

Wednesday 2nd April – Deadline for withdrawals of nomination

If a candidate has submitted a nomination and then decides they do not wish to stand, they must withdraw their name, otherwise they will automatically become a candidate for the seat and may be elected.

Candidates may only stand in one ward. If a candidate submits nominations for more than one ward and does not withdraw (leaving only one) by the deadline then they will be deemed to have withdrawn from all.

Thursday 3rd April – Statement of Persons Nominated

The statement of persons standing for election will be sent to clerks by Cornwall Council. This must be published prominently in the same way/places as the notices of poll. The notice will name all of those standing for election in the parish (broken down by ward if applicable).

Friday 11th April – Deadline to register to vote

Deadline to register to vote

Monday 14th April – Deadline to apply to vote by post

Deadline to apply to vote by post

Wednesday 23rd April – Deadline to apply for Voter Authority Certificate

Deadline to apply for Voter Authority Certificate

Wednesday 23rd April – Deadline to apply to vote by proxy

Deadline to apply to vote by proxy

Wednesday 23rd April – Notice of Poll

Where a contested election will take place, Cornwall Council will publish a notice of poll for each ward, as necessary.

If the number of candidates does not exceed the number of seats on the Council there will be no poll and a notice will be issued and this is to be displayed prominently. The notice will confirm the names of the incoming Councillors who will take office on 6th May 2025.

Thursday 1st May – Polling Day

Polling stations are open 07:00 – 22:00. Voters must present valid identification in order to vote.

Thursday 1st May / Friday 2nd May – Count and Results

The Count will take place after polling stations close, with Cornwall Council seats being counted first. The results of local council elections will be published on Cornwall Council’s website as each count is completed.

Tuesday 6th May – Change of Council

Previous councillors cease to be members and new councillors take up office. This is the first day on which summons can be issued to councillors (and agendas published) for the Annual Council Meeting.

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