With elections for Plymouth City Council and the Police and Crime Commissioner due to take place on 6 May, the Council is reminding residents who are not already on the electoral register that they must register by midnight on Monday 19 April.

If residents have been included in the recent household notification letter then they don’t need to re-register.

Residents can check if they are registered to vote by emailing ero@plymouth.gov.uk or by calling 01752 304866.

Arrangements for voters are going to be different to usual due to the pandemic as the Council looks to ensure that the election process is as safe as possible. Some residents may not find it as easy to get to their designated polling stations and are being asked to consider applying for a postal vote or by appointing someone they trust to vote on their behalf, this is known as a proxy vote. 

To apply for a new postal vote (or to cancel an existing one) - the deadline is 5pm on Tuesday 20 April.

The deadline to apply for a proxy vote is 5pm on Tuesday 27 April.

Postal and proxy votes can be temporary and used for these elections only. You need to be registered to vote before you can apply for a postal vote.

The Council is putting in place sensible safety measures at all polling stations for 6 May including cleaning, socially distanced queuing systems, face coverings being worn and hand sanitiser on site. Polling booths will be cleaned very regularly throughout the day. Voters are encouraged to bring their own pencil or pen. If not, the pencils provided will be sanitised between uses.

Tracey Lee, Plymouth City Council Chief Executive and Returning Officer, said:

“Keeping our residents and staff safe during these uncertain times, while delivering a successful election is vital and we need our residents to help us do this.

“Voters opting for a postal or proxy vote, reducing footfall through polling stations, is one way we can help to limit the risk factors.”

For more information about the electoral process in Plymouth and how to register to vote or apply for a postal or proxy vote, people should visit the Plymouth City Council website