Penzance Council - Forthcoming By-Election in East Ward

 There will be an election to fill the Penzance Council vacancy in Penzance East Ward (at least 10 electors have requested an election).  The date of the election had not been decided by Cornwall Council Electoral Services as at 7 Jan 22.  

The timescales for submitting nomination papers once the date is notified ('Notice of Election') is usually very tight.  The Notice of Election has to be issued not later that 25 days before the date of the poll and closing date for nominations is 19 days before date of poll.  There can be just one week to get nominations papers, complete them and return them by hand to Electoral Services at St Austell (Electoral Services do provide an officer to accept papers at St John's Hall but the default is St Austell if you are late getting your papers together).

Eligibility to stand as a candidate is explained here – in brief you can stand if you are on the electoral roll of Penzance Parish, live in Penzance (anywhere in the Parish) or within 3 miles of the Parish boundary or work in the Parish.  You should identify all the ways you qualify in case your circumstances change in the future.  You also need two voters from Penzance East ward to nominate you.  You need to check that you are not disqualified from standing.

If you are standing on behalf of a registered party then the party officials will know the ropes.  There is special guidance for independent candidates here.

Do read the Electoral Commission guidance on eligibility closely - the advice above is just a summary and the eligibility detail matters.

Not sure what Councillors' responsibilities are - well start here.  

Do you need an election leaflet - yes you do because elections can be highly competitive in Penzance.  You can see examples on this site which were prepared for the May 2021 Local Government Elections.  A social media presence is important but older postal voters are very significant in by-elections and many do not use social media.

Website links:

Cornwall Council Town & Parish Council Vacancies (currently showing that Penzance will have an election) 

Cornwall Council Current and Forthcoming Elections (will publish Notice of Election for Penzance East soon).

Eligibility to Stand in Parish Elections (Electoral Commission)

A Guide to Parish Councillor Responsibilities 

 Penzance East Ward