The Prime Minister has confirmed the next General Election will take place on Thursday 4 July 2024 – make sure you’re ready to cast your vote!
Why is voting important?
Voting is the cornerstone of people’s involvement in democracy. The ballot box is the place where people get to have their say on who represents them at a local or national level, to take decisions and to act on their behalf.
But if people don’t register, they can’t vote, it’s as simple as that.
In order to vote in this important election, 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.
How to register to vote
The deadline to register to vote is 11:59pm on Tuesday 18 June 2024.
It’s quick and easy – it takes just five minutes online:
You have a range of options for casting your vote – in person, by post or by appointing someone you trust to vote in your place, known as a proxy vote.
If you know someone who can’t apply online, please contact Cornwall Council’s Elections Team who will be able to provide assistance: Tel: 0300 1231 115 or Email: [email protected]
What if you don’t have a fixed address, live overseas, or are serving in the armed forces?
Cornwall Council has lots of information on their website on how to register if any of these scenarios apply to you: Register to vote – Cornwall Council
Remember, you need approved voter ID to vote in person!
Voters in England now need to show photo ID to vote at polling stations.
Accepted forms of photo ID:
- Passport issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, a British Overseas Territory, an EEA state or a Commonwealth country (including an Irish Passport Card)
- Driving licence issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or an EEA state (this includes a provisional driving licence)
- A Blue Badge
- Older Person’s Bus Pass funded by the UK Government
- Disabled Person’s Bus Pass funded by the UK Government
- 60+ London Oyster Photocard funded by Transport for London
- Freedom Pass
- Identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (a PASS card)
- Biometric immigration document
- Ministry of Defence Form 90 (Defence Identity Card)
- National identity card issued by an EEA state
- Electoral Identity Card issued in Northern Ireland
- Voter Authority Certificate
- Anonymous Elector’s Document
(Full list of accepted forms of photo ID available here: Accepted forms of photo ID | Electoral Commission)
You will only need to show one form of photo ID. Remember, it needs to be the original version and not a photocopy.
Don’t have an accepted form of photo ID?
You can apply for a free voter ID document, known as a Voter Authority Certificate, if:
- you don’t have an accepted form of photo ID
- you’re not sure whether your photo ID still looks like you
- you’re worried about using an existing form of ID for any other reason, such as the use of a gender marker
Please note: you need to be registered to vote before you can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate (deadline to register to vote: 11:59pm Tuesday 18 June 2024).
The deadline to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate is 5pm on Wednesday 26 June.
If you know someone who can’t apply online, please contact Cornwall Council’s Elections Team who will be able to provide assistance: Tel: 0300 1231 115 or Email: [email protected]
How to apply for a postal or proxy vote
For more information about postal and proxy votes please visit Cornwall Council’s Elections web pages: Different ways to vote – Cornwall Council
Please note: you need to be registered to vote before you can apply for a postal or proxy vote (deadline to register to vote: 11:59pm Tuesday 18 June 2024).
The deadline to apply for a postal vote is 5pm on Wednesday 19 June:
The deadline to apply for a proxy vote is 5pm Wednesday 26 June:
If you know someone who can’t apply online, please contact Cornwall Council’s Elections Team who will be able to provide assistance: Tel: 0300 1231 115 or Email: [email protected]
Still need help?
Easy-read guides for those with learning disabilities on registering to vote, deciding how you want to vote, applying for voter ID, and voting itself are available here: My Vote My Voice
You can also get in touch with Cornwall Council’s Elections Team who can provide assistance:
Tel: 0300 12341 115
Email: [email protected]
Web: Elections – Cornwall Council
All information on this page has been taken from The Electoral Commission and Cornwall Council’s Elections websites.
