Penzance By-Election Announced Following Councillor’s Passing

A by-election has been called in Penzance East Ward following the death of Councillor Melville Durrant in August. Nominations are now open for those interested in filling the vacancy, with the election organised by Cornwall Council.

Why Is There a By-Election?

The by-election was triggered after ten local residents wrote to Cornwall Council, meeting the legal requirement to hold an election. The new councillor will represent Penzance East, a key area of the town, with the chance to make a real difference to the community.

How to Nominate Yourself

If you want to stand as a councillor, nomination papers must be completed and submitted to Cornwall Council. These papers can be requested by contacting the Deputy Returning Officer, either by phone (01872 324196) or post:

Deputy Returning Officer, 4S, County Hall, Treyew Road, Truro, TR1 3AY.

It’s important to note that nomination papers must be delivered in person to the designated locations, any received by post or email will be invalid.. The upcoming drop-off dates include:

• Friday 20th September – County Hall, Truro (10am–1pm and 2–4pm)
• Monday 23rd September – County Hall, Truro (10am–1pm and 2–4pm)
• Tuesday 24th September – County Hall, Truro (10am–1pm and 2–4pm)
• Wednesday 25th September – St John’s Hall, Penzance (10am–1pm and 2–4pm)
• Thursday 26th September – County Hall, Truro (10am–1pm and 2–4pm)
• Friday 27th September – County Hall, Truro (10am–1pm and 2–4pm)

Election Date

If more than one candidate stands, the polling day will be held on Thursday 24th October 2024. You must be registered to vote by midnight on Tuesday 8th October 2024 to take part in this election.

For further information on standing in the by-election, visit Penzance Town Council’s website.

Make Sure You Can Vote

To vote in the Penzance by-election, you’ll need to be registered and have valid voter ID. Accepted forms of ID include passports, driving licences, and other official documents. You can find a full list of acceptable voter ID here. If you don’t have valid ID, you can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate, but you must do so by 5pm on Wednesday 16th October 2024.

If you prefer to vote by post or by proxy, the deadline to apply for a postal vote is 5pm on Wednesday 9th October 2024. For proxy votes, the deadline is 5pm on Wednesday 16th October 2024.

With Penzance East set to elect a new representative, this by-election presents an opportunity for residents to shape their community.