Mask on when you go to vote
COVID-SAFE MEASURES WILL BE IN FORCE WHEN POLLING DAY COMES AROUND IN MAY
STAFFORDSHIRE voters are set to go to the polls on May 6 – but they will be asked to wear face coverings and bring their own pen or pencil to make their mark due to coronavirus concerns.
The Government is working with the Electoral Commission to run elections on the first Thursday in May, but with measures to keep voters, staff and candidates safe and socially distanced.
A full Staffordshire County Council election, including Burton and Uttoxeter’s electoral divisions, is due to take place this year after a number of polls scheduled for May 2020 were postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
In Staffordshire these included the election for the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner. This election will also go ahead on May 6.
The Government published a May 2021 polls delivery plan last Friday, setting out measures to enable elections to go ahead. Around £92 million will be given to local authorities running elections, including £31m to directly address costs associated with making the process Covidsecure. Those who are shielding or do not wish to attend a polling station will be encouraged to apply for a postal or proxy vote.
Rule changes mean anyone who is self-isolating will be able to request a proxy vote until 5pm on polling day.
Voters who plan to attend their local polling station will be asked to wear a face covering and bring their own pen or pencil to mark their ballot paper, rather than using the pencils usually provided in booths.
Other measures will include hand sanitiser and cleaning of touch points, as well as screens and markings if needed to maintain social distancing.
Election candidates and their agents will be given additional guidance on how to carry out their campaigns safely, as current lockdown measures restrict traditional activities such as leafleting and door knocking. Other methods such as campaigning online and by phone, as well as postal delivery of leaflets, can be carried out without increasing face to face contact, however.
The publication of the polls delivery plan comes just days after Stafford Borough Council leader Patrick Farrington called on the Government to make a firm decision on whether or not elections would take place in May. He said: “Many voters are still reticent about venturing out from their homes, relying on family, friends and volunteers, where the rules permit, to fetch essential supplies, so how would they even visit a polling station to cast their vote?
“Not all polling stations are large community spaces. Some venues are as small as local pubs and even caravans in rural areas. You can only imagine the work that would have to be undertaken to make these venues Covid-compliant.
“Socially distanced queues, spaced out voting booths, would all present difficulties – and then there is the number of staff required to operate the venues and undertake all the preparatory work, particularly given that they are currently so hard pressed dealing with the day to day running of the council under extreme conditions.
“It is very important we get a decision now on whether we hold the polls in May to avoid unnecessary costs.”