A by-election has been requested by residents living in the Penzance East Ward, and nominations to stand are now open!
Why has a by-election been called?
Following the sad passing of Cllr Melville Durrant in August this year, the Proper Officer at Cornwall Council received letters calling for a by-election from at least 10 residents in the ward, the legal requirment, so a by-election will be held to fill this vacancy.
How can I stand to be a Councillor in this by-election?
The voting and election process is all organised and managed by Cornwall Council.
1. Am I eligible to stand for election?
You must meet the criteria below to be eligible to stand for election:
- you must be a British citizen, Commonwealth citizen, citizen of the Irish Republic or a citizen of another European Union State.
- be at least 18 years of age, and
- are either:
- on the register of electors for that the Parish of Penzance or has during the whole of the preceding twelve months
- occupied land as an owner or tenant
- had a principal place of work there
- live in the Parish in or within 4.8 kilometres of it
2. Fill in nomination papers
You will need to fill in nomination papers to stand for election – you will need to request these from the Deputy Returning Officer at Cornwall Council:
Tel: 01872 324196
Post: Deputy Returning Officer, 4S, County Hall, Treyew Road, Truro, TR1 3AY
3. Return your nomination papers
Legislation still requires that all nomination papers must be delivered in person/by hand – any received by post or email will be invalid.
Cornwall Council has outlined specific days, times and locations that you can return your completed nomination papers:
- Friday 20 September – County Hall, Truro between the hours of 10am – 1pm and 2 – 4pm
- Monday 23 September – County Hall, Truro between the hours of 10am – 1pm and 2 – 4pm
- Tuesday 24 September – County Hall, Truro between the hours of 10am – 1pm and 2 – 4pm
- Wednesday 25 September – St John’s Hall, Penzance (Alverne Room) between the hours of 10am – 1pm and 2 – 4pm
- Thursday 26 September – County Hall, Truro between the hours of 10am – 1pm and 2 – 4pm
- Friday 27 September – County Hall, Truro between the hours of 10am – 1pm and 2 – 4pm
When will the election be held?
If more than one candidate stands for an election, the polling day will be Thursday 24 October 2024.
How to vote
Make sure you’re registered to vote
In order to vote in this election, you must be on the electoral register. If you’re not you won’t be able to vote, it’s as simple as that.
The deadline to register to vote is midnight on Tuesday 8 October 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]
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 but 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: midnight on Tuesday 8 October 2024).
The deadline to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate is 5pm on Wednesday 16 October 2024.
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: midnight on Tuesday 8 October 2024).
The deadline to apply for a postal vote is 5pm on Wednesday 9 October 2024:
The deadline to apply for a proxy vote is 5pm Wednesday 16 August:
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 the information on this page has been provided by Cornwall Council’s Elections.
