Local elections 2026: have your say

Did you know that students can register to vote at both their uni and home addresses? Eligible students can vote in the Penryn Town Council by-election on the 26^th March, and while there aren’t local elections in Cornwall this year, you can still have your say in this May’s local council, Scottish Parliament, and Senedd Cymru elections. Councillors are responsible for issues including health and social care, schools, recycling, and local public transport, and the devolved bodies legislate on many key issues in Scotland and Wales. You have the power to influence these integral services and make change in your community, so it’s important to make sure you’re registered to vote and have made a voting plan. Increasing student voter turnout, which has historically been lower than other groups, will make sure that your priorities are heard and taken seriously by the representatives you elect.

Get ready to vote

• Polling day: 26^th March (Penryn Town Council) and 7^th May (local councils, Scottish Parliament, and Senedd Cymru). You can find out whether your local area is having elections and who is standing here.
• Register to vote deadline: 20^th April 11:59pm. You can register to vote online here – it takes a couple minutes and all you need is your name, date of birth, address, nationality, and national insurance number.
• Apply for a postal vote deadline: 21^st April 5pm. If you want to vote in your home area but will still be at uni on 7^th May, you can apply for a postal vote. Make sure to post your vote as soon as possible after receiving your ballot!
• Apply for proxy vote deadline: 28th April 5pm. You can also nominate someone to vote on your behalf if you won’t be available on polling day by applying for a proxy vote.
• Apply for Voter Authority Certificate deadline: 20^th April 5pm. You now need valid voter ID to vote in UK elections – this includes a valid UK passport, UK provisional or full driver’s license, and ID cards with the holographic PASS mark. If you don’t have these forms of ID, you can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate.
• Encourage your friends and family to vote! Everyone has a stake in their community’s future. Remind your peers about registering to vote and the importance of showing up on the day!

For more information on registering to vote and this year’s elections, see the Electoral Commission’s website.