Time short to register for local elections

Plymouth deadline is Tuesday

Plymouth residents are being warned that time is running out to apply for a proxy vote in local elections for 19 seats on the city council on Thursday 5 May. 

The deadline to apply for a postal vote has already passed but people who want to appoint someone else to vote on their behalf have until Tuesday 26 April to submit applications. 

However, there are strict criteria surrounding proxy votes and residents can only apply if:

they are away on polling day
they have a medical issue or disability
they are not able to vote in person because of work or military service 
they are on an educational course or training
they are a British citizen living overseas.  
Applicants may be asked for evidence to support their reason for having a proxy vote. 

The proxy must be registered to vote in the elections themselves and be 18 or older. 

Individual cannot be a proxy for more than two people, unless they are a close relative. 

If a voter is unable to cast their ballot on the day because of an emergency, such as an urgent medical appointment, they can apply for an emergency proxy vote up to 5 p.m. on election day. 

Plymouth goes to the polls to elect 19 new city councillors. The current composition of Plymouth City Council is:

Conservatives: 22 seats
Labour: 23 seats
Independents: 12 seats
However, the council is run under a minority leadership by the Tories.

Cllr Nick Kelly was the leader of the council until last month but, following a vote of no confidence, was removed as leader and replaced by Cllr Richard Bingley. 

Cllr Bingley has faced calls to be suspended after leaked video recordings of him being critical of climate change and the reaction to the pandemic. He has since insisted he is concerned about climate change and does take covid seriously.

Although there are 20 wards in Plymouth, Plympton Erle only has two representatives.  As it is the fallow year for that ward, no elections will take place there this year.