Postal vote applications soar
INDICATION MANY DON’T WANT TO GO TO POLL STATIONS
THERE has been a sharp rise in the number of people planning to vote by post in next month’s Leicestershire elections.
Officials say tens of thousands of applications have been made from people wanting to cast their ballots by post in the county council and police and crime commissioner elections that take place on Thursday, May 6.
While efforts are under way to make polling stations Covid-secure, the surge in postal vote applications - in all parts of the county, could indicate people want to avoid going to them.
The county council hasn’t revealed exactly how many of the 550,000 eligible voters will do so without leaving home.
However, the county council says applications to vote by post must be received by the deadline of 5pm on April 20.
Head of member services at Leicestershire County Council
Graeme Wardle, said: “We want to make sure that everyone who is entitled to vote can do so on May 6, regardless of the pandemic.
“Whether you choose to vote at a polling station or by post or proxy,
I’d urge everyone to take the time to have their say.
“By using your vote, you can help shape the future of county council services.”
To apply to vote by post, people need to download, print and fill in a postal vote application form and send the completed form to the electoral services team at their local district or borough council. Those who cannot cast their vote in person, can ask someone they trust to cast their vote for them by proxy either by post or at a polling station.
The county elections will decide which party gets to make key decisions affecting all people who live in Leicestershire for the next four years.
These include managing adult social care, children’s social care, public health, transport, education, planning, road maintenance, libraries, waste management and trading standards. More information about registering for a postal or proxy vote is available at:
We want to make sure everyone entitled to vote can do so on May 6, regardless of the pandemic