WARRINGTON Borough Council has outlined how you can vote safely in the local elections on Thursday, May 6.
Residents in Warrington will have the chance to go to the polls to vote for the borough, town and parish elections, and for the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Cheshire election.
These will be beyond doubt the most logistically complex elections ever organised in Warrington, and council officers are working hard to ensure that polling stations are COVID-secure and that vote counting can be done so safely.
With the elections in just a matter of weeks, the council is reminding residents how they can take part in this year’s elections to make sure that they don’t miss their chance to vote.
First things first: make sure you are registered to vote
Have you recently changed address? Are you new to Warrington? Make sure you register yourself online, which you can do in a matter of minutes via the council website.
Importantly, the council is working to make sure that polling stations in Warrington are COVID-secure, to minimise any chance of the virus spreading.
However, some people might prefer not to visit polling stations to vote in person this year.
If this applies to you, there are other ways you can take part. You can apply for a postal or proxy vote which would mean that you don’t have to head out to a polling station in May. A proxy vote is when you nominate somebody to vote on your behalf. Registering for a postal vote means that you will receive your ballot paper in the post and you therefore also won’t need to visit a polling station.
To find out more about the different ways you can vote in this year’s elections, visit warrington.gov.uk/elections2021. You have until 5pm on Tuesday 20 April to apply for a postal vote, and 5pm on Tuesday 27 April to apply for a proxy vote.
Chief Executive at Warrington Borough Council, Professor Steven Broomhead MBE, who is Returning Officer for the elections in Warrington, said: “This year’s elections are requiring a huge collective effort from our officers who will ensure that, however you wish to vote this year, you can do so safely.
“Our polling stations will be COVID-secure, with all the necessary precautions in place, but there are also other ways that you can vote. Your safety is our absolute priority, and we will help to facilitate whichever method you want to participate in the elections this year. We have seen an increase in residents registering for postal votes and if you are thinking of doing the same, please make sure you apply in good time.
“You may also spot candidates and their supporters out campaigning in the run-up to the elections. This should be done in a COVID-secure way in line with the national guidance. We all need to work together to ensure that whether it’s canvassing and campaigning over the coming weeks, or voting in May, we act responsibly and safely to minimise any risk of the virus transmitting.”
For more information, visit warrington.gov.uk/elections2021
