Don’t Get Caught Out on May 1st: What You Need to Know Before Voting in Cornwall

Everything from where to go, what to bring, and how to get help at the polls

With just one week to go until Cornwall heads to the polls for the 2025 local elections, voters are being urged to check the details before casting their vote on Thursday 1st May.

Elections will take place for Cornwall Council and various town and parish councils. If you’re planning to vote in person, here’s what you need to know ahead of polling day.

🔗 All the official election info is here

Where do I vote?

Cornwall will have 432 polling stations open on election day, in venues ranging from halls, churches and pubs to scout huts, rugby clubs and even a castle.

Your poll card will tell you where your assigned polling station is. Make sure you double check it – your location may have changed since the last election.

You can also find your polling station by postcode. Remember, you must vote at the station you’ve been assigned.

Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm on the day.

Don’t forget your ID

You must bring photo ID to vote at a polling station.

Accepted forms of ID include:

• Passport

• Driving licence

• Government-issued older or disabled person’s bus pass

• Blue Badge

• Defence Identity Card

• PASS card (Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram)

🔗 Full list of accepted ID here

Expired ID is still accepted as long as it looks like you. The name on your ID should match the name you used when registering to vote.

Help is available at the polling station

If you need support to cast your vote, you can either take someone with you or ask a member of the polling station team for help.

There will be large print versions of the ballot paper available, and tactile voting devices for blind and partially sighted voters. The presiding officer can also read the candidate names aloud and help you mark your ballot paper.

If you require extra assistance, contact Cornwall Council’s elections team on 01872 324 196 or email voter-registration@cornwall.gov.uk.

Voting by post?

Postal ballot packs must arrive by 10pm on Thursday 1st May.

If it’s too late to return your pack by post, you can hand it in at any polling station within your electoral area.

Who can vote?

To vote, you must:

• Be aged 18 or over

• Be registered to vote

What can and can’t you do at the polling station?

• Pens are provided, but feel free to bring your own.

• You shouldn’t take photos inside the polling station – it could risk the secrecy of your vote.

• Photos outside the polling station are fine – and encouraged to help remind others to vote.

• You can attend with friends, family or children, but only those registered to vote (and children) can go inside the polling station.

• Adults must vote alone, unless they require assistance due to a disability.

Children are welcome to accompany you into the booth, but they must not mark the ballot paper for you.

Who are you voting for?

Elections are taking place for Cornwall Council and some town and parish councils.

🔗 See the full list of candidates in your area here

When will the results be announced?

Votes will be counted on Friday 2nd May and results will be published on the Cornwall Council elections page and on the Cornwall Council Facebook page.

Don’t forget – Thursday 1st May is your chance to have your say in how Cornwall is run. Check your polling card, grab your ID, and make your vote count.