Tuesday 8 April 2025
The Devon County Council elections will take place on Thursday 1 May 2025.
There are some important deadlines coming up, so we've put together this special edition of our Connect Me newsletter to help you make sure you're ready to vote and have your voice heard!
If you want to take part in the Devon County Council elections, you must be registered to vote before the deadline on Friday 11 April 2025.
Registering is quick and easy - all you need is your National Insurance number. If you've never registered before, have moved house, or changed your name, visit the Government website before the deadline.
You can vote if you are:
- registered to vote
- 18 years old or older on the day of the election
- registered at an address in Devon
- a British, Irish, or qualifying Commonwealth citizen living in the UK
- not legally excluded from voting
Once registered, you can then decide how you are going to vote.
There are three different ways you can vote. You can choose the way that suits you. You can:
- vote in person at the polling station
- vote by post
- ask someone you trust to vote on your behalf (by proxy)
When you vote in person you go to the polling station allocated to you based on your address on the electoral register. This will be listed on your poll card, which you'll receive through the post before polling day.
You can also use the post code checker on the Electoral Commission website to find out where your polling station is. You must make sure you attend the right polling station (the one listed on your polling card), otherwise you will not be able to cast your vote.
To vote at a polling station, you will need to bring photo ID. You can check what forms of ID will be accepted on the Electoral Commission website.
If you don’t have a form of photo ID, you can apply for a free voter ID, also called a Voter Authority Certificate. The deadline to apply for free voter ID is 5pm on Wednesday 23 April.
If you know that you won’t be able to get to the polling station on polling day, you can vote by post.
The deadline for applying for a postal vote on the Electoral Commission website is 5pm on Monday 14 April 2025.
You will be sent a postal voting pack before the election. Make sure you keep it somewhere safe. Visit the Electoral Commission website to find out more about voting by post.
If you know that you won’t be able to get to the polling station on polling day, you can ask someone you trust to cast your vote on your behalf. This is called a proxy vote.
The deadline for applying for a proxy vote on the Electoral Commission website is 5pm on Wednesday 23 April 2025.
Visit the Electoral Commission website to find out more about voting by proxy.
The votes will be counted on Friday 2 May 2025, and you will be able to follow the results on our democracy website.
 Find out more
By voting in the Devon County Council elections, you are helping shape your community’s future
Sixty council seats in 58 divisions (two areas, Exmouth and Broadclyst each have two elected members) will be decided, and the results will determine the new council’s priorities and the delivery of vital local services, including education, roads, social care for vulnerable adults and children as well as the local environment and Devon’s countryside.
It’s important to make an informed decision about who you want to vote for, so make sure you do your research about what the candidates in your area are standing for and what issues are important to them.
Your ballot paper will list the candidates standing for your area and indicate whether they are representing a political party or standing as an Independent candidate. You can also find list of candidates for each area on our website or you can use the post code checker on the Electoral Commission website.
Voting for the first time is an exciting and important milestone, but we understand it can be daunting too. We’ve put together a video with our Director of Legal and Democratic Services, Maria Price (who is charged with ensuring that elections are delivered fairly and correctly) and some useful top tips that will help you navigate the process and know what to expect.
To help you make the most of your vote in the upcoming Devon County Council election, we've compiled answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.
Learn about how to vote, voting anonymously, voting as a student, voter fraud and more. Visit our website to find out more and ensure your voice is heard on Thursday 1 May 2025.
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