One week left until voters head to the polls

There’s just one week left until voters will have the opportunity to go to the polls on Thursday 6 May.

For those who have chosen to vote in person at a Covid-secure polling station, their experience of voting will be different to previous elections.  The Electoral Commission is encouraging voters to make sure they’re ready to vote on 6 May. Voters should remember to:

• Take a face covering and a pen or pencil with them when they vote. If people forget these, there will be spares available for them to use at the polling station
• Clean their hands when entering and leaving the polling station
• Maintain a safe distance from other voters and polling station staff

While voting should only take a few minutes, there will be arrangements in place to maintain social distancing at the polling station and staff will be managing the number of people allowed inside at any one time. This might mean that voters will be asked to queue to enter their polling station. Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm. Anyone in the queue at their polling station at 10pm will be able to vote.

Ailsa Irvine, Director of Electoral Administration and Guidance, Electoral Commission said: “This year voting in person will look a little different to previous elections. You can help keep yourself and others safe by following the safety measures that will be in place at the polling station. If you are asked to queue, this will be so that you and others can follow the social distancing measures in place so please be patient while you wait for your turn.

“It has always been the case that voters can bring their own pens or pencils to cast their vote, and this year it is encouraged to minimise contact between voters.”

If people are unsure of what to do at the polling station, or need any help, polling station staff will be happy to assist.

If someone becomes unwell or is self-isolating as a result of Covid-19 shortly before polling day, or on the day itself, they don’t need to miss out on their vote. Voters will be able to apply for an emergency proxy up until 5pm on polling day, so someone they trust can vote on their behalf. They can find out how to do this by speaking to their local council.

Further information for voters is available on www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/voting-person