Vote in person
To be able to vote, you must be on the electoral register. You vote in person at a polling station (usually in a public building, such as a school or local hall).
Your poll card
You'll receive a poll card that includes your name, address and elector number.
It will tell you:
- the date of the election
- polling hours (polling hours are between 7am and 10pm)
- the location of your polling station (you can only vote at the polling station on your card).
If you have not received a poll card but think you should, email ero@plymouth.gov.uk or call 01752 304866. You can still vote if you have lost your card.
When you get to a polling station
Tell the staff in the polling station your name and address and give them your eligible Voter ID document (see section below). They will check you're registered, mark their register and give you a ballot paper.
Voter ID
From 4 May 2023, everyone voting at a polling station will need to show a form of photo ID. This will apply to:
- Local elections
- Police and Crime Commissioner elections
- UK parliamentary by-elections
- Recall petitions
- From October 2023 it will also apply to UK General elections
Visit our Voter ID page for more information.
Filling in your ballot paper
Follow the instructions on the notices in the polling booth and on the top of the ballot paper to vote. You should put no other mark on the ballot paper or your vote may not be counted. Fold the ballot paper in two and post in the ballot box.
Vote by proxy
If you’re unable to vote in person you can ask someone to vote on your behalf. This is called a proxy vote.
How long is your proxy vote for
You can apply to vote by proxy:
- for a single election on a specific date
- for a specific period
- permanently
Who can act as a proxy
You can ask anyone to act as your proxy - as long as they:
- are registered to vote
- are allowed to vote in the type of election taking place
- can vote in the polling station stated on your poll card
If they would prefer to exercise their proxy role by post, then they will need to apply to vote by post as proxy.
Apply for a proxy vote
Proxy voting application forms must be received by 5pm, six working days before polling day.
Return your completed application form by either:
- Email: ero@plymouth.gov.uk
- Post:
The Electoral Registration Office
Plymouth City Council
Ballard House
West Hoe Road
Plymouth
PL1 3BJ
Change or cancel your proxy vote
You can change or cancel your proxy vote before 5pm, 11 working days before an election.
This includes:
- Changes of address for delivery of ballot paper
- Cancellation of a postal vote
- Change from proxy to postal
Vote by post
If you know that you won’t be able to get to the polling station on polling day, you can vote by post.
You can apply for a postal vote if you’re away on holiday or because your work schedule means you can't get to polling station. You can also choose to vote by post simply because it would be more convenient for you.
You will be sent a postal vote ballot pack before the election.
Apply for a postal vote
There are two ways to apply to vote by post:
You can apply for a postal vote for a specific day, particular time period or for a maximum of three years. You need to complete a new postal vote application if you have moved house.
However you apply, your application must be received by 5pm, 11 working days before the poll.
Information you must provide when filling in your application
Instructions on how to complete the application correctly are provided on both the online and paper forms.
However you apply you will need to provide your date of birth, National Insurance number and signature on your application form. These are used to confirm your identity when you vote by post.
If you’re unable to provide your National Insurance number, you will need to explain why in your application. Contact us to discuss which other forms of identification you will need to provide.
If you are unable to sign the form or are unable to sign in a consistent way please contact us at postal.vote@plymouth.gov.uk or phone weekdays between 9am and 5pm on 01752 304866.
Submit your completed and signed application to us by 5pm, 11 working days before the poll
Email a scanned copy or photo of your completed form to postal.vote@plymouth.gov.uk
OR
Post to:
The Electoral Registration Office
Plymouth City Council
Ballard House
West Hoe Road
Plymouth
PL1 3BJ
Change or cancel your postal vote
You can change or cancel your postal vote before 5pm, 11 working days before an election.
This includes:
- Changes of address for delivery of ballot paper
- Cancellation of a postal vote
- Change from postal to proxy
Replace a lost or damaged ballot paper
By law a replacement postal ballot pack can only be issued from 4 working days before polling day up until 5pm on polling day.
If a ballot paper or postal vote statement has been spoilt then it can be corrected without the need for a replacement to be issued, by crossing out the error and making the required correction, ensuring the elector’s voting intention is clear.
If you do need to request a replacement then from 4 working days before polling day up until 5pm on polling day, please contact us by emailing postal.vote@plymouth.gov.uk or calling 01752 304866.
Electors who must bring proof of identity can collect a replacement up to 5pm on election day from:
The Electoral Registration Office
Plymouth City Council
Ballard House
West Hoe Road
Plymouth
PL1 3BJ
You cannot vote at a polling station if you registered to vote by post but your ballot paper was lost or damaged.
Voting if you have a disability
Plymouth City Council offers a range of support to disabled voters, including voters with a learning disability.
Our polling stations:
- have doorbells at the entrance where wheelchair accessibility is not possible - the polling station staff will attend and assist electors activating the doorbell
- have ramps where needed
- have large print versions of the ballot paper
You are welcome to bring someone you trust to the polling station to help you complete your ballot paper.
Voters with a visual impairment
Tactile voting device
Each polling station will have a tactile voting device. This is a plastic device that is fixed onto the ballot paper so visually impaired people or those with limited dexterity can mark their ballot paper in secret. Please ask the polling station staff if you need to use the device.
Large print version of the ballot paper
Large print versions of the ballot paper will be available in the polling station. You can take a copy to the polling booth with you. You can't vote on the large print version but it can be used for reference.
Guides for voters with a learning disability
Any person, including those with a learning disability and/or autism or dementia, has the legal right to vote in local and general elections and should be supported to be able to do so. Some people may struggle with the registration process while others may find challenges when going to a polling station or submitting their postal vote.
Visit My Vote My Voice for more information and guidance.
Support from the Presiding Officer
You can also ask the Presiding Officer to assist in casting your vote. The polling station staff are legally bound by the Requirement for Secrecy and your vote will remain secret.
If you know which candidate you wish to vote for, you can instruct the Presiding Officer in the privacy of the polling booth, they will mark the ballot paper(s) according to your instructions.