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The latest information on the PCC and local by-elections next week
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Make sure you’re ready to have your say on 6 May
With just a week left until voters in Allerdale go to the polls on 6 May, Allerdale Borough Council is urging voters to get ready to vote.
Across Allerdale there are Cumbria Police and Crime Commissioner elections, and some local government by-elections, taking place.
Polling stations will be safe places to vote on 6 May. People voting in person are encouraged to keep themselves and others safe by:
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wearing a face covering
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bringing their own pen or pencil
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cleaning their hands when entering and leaving the polling station
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keeping a safe distance
Voters should not attend the polling station if they have symptoms of Covid-19, or if they have been asked to self-isolate. Anyone who develops symptoms, or is asked to self-isolate shortly before polling day, has up to 5pm on polling day to apply for an emergency proxy vote. This allows them to nominate someone they trust to vote on their behalf. And if a voter already has a proxy in place and their proxy has to self-isolate, they can nominate a new proxy up until 5pm on 6 May.
Andrew Seekings, Electoral Registration Officer for Allerdale Borough Council, said:
“Your poll card will tell you where to find your polling station. Make sure you check the information on your polling card, as your polling station might have changed since the last elections. You do not need your poll card to vote, however, we encourage you to bring it with you to make the process quicker and more efficient. Our staff are advised not to take your poll card from you, so please take it home with you after you’ve voted and dispose of it carefully.
“Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm on Thursday 6 May. Voters who have opted to vote by post must return their postal ballot pack by 10pm; they can hand it in at their polling station if they don’t have time to return it by post.”
Ailsa Irvine, Director of Electoral Administration and Guidance at the Electoral Commission, said:
“If you are voting in person, make sure you remember to bring your face covering and a pen or pencil with you. At the polling station, help keep yourself and others safe by following the safety measures, including sanitising your hands and keeping a safe distance from others.
“If you are self-isolating or become unwell as a result of Covid-19, you don’t need to lose your vote. You will be able to apply for an emergency proxy vote so that someone you trust can vote on your behalf.”
For further information on how to apply for an emergency proxy, voters should contact the electoral registration team at Allerdale Borough Council on 0303 123 1731.
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Postal vote packs
Postal vote packs have started going to electors for the May 6 election. Please carefully read the instructions on how to complete and return your vote. Packs for the Police and Crime Commissioner will be sent separate to any by-elections in your area. Please complete all the necessary forms and send them back to us.
What is in your postal vote pack?
- A document called a postal voting statement for your signature and date of birth, which includes an attached envelope marked "Envelope A"
- Your ballot paper
- An envelope marked "Envelope B"
Completing the postal vote
- Put your signature within the space provided on the postal voting statement, and complete the section giving your date of birth
- Mark your ballot paper for the candidate(s) you wish to vote for. Check the ballot paper for instructions on how to do this, and how many candidates you can vote for.
- Place your ballot paper(s) in the envelope attached to the postal voting statement which is marked "Envelope A". Seal this envelope. You can fold the ballot papers if it makes it easier.
- Put the the completed postal voting statement and Envelope A into the envelope marked "Envelope B" and post this back to us. (Your postal vote can be handed in at a polling station on polling day if you forget to post it in time. However this must be done before 10pm.)
Who is standing for election?
On May 6 there are elections for the Cumbria Police and Crime Commissioner as well as some local by-elections. Check your poll card for elections being held in your area. Or you can check our website.
Our website also includes details of all the candidates standing in the elections.
Emergency proxy vote
If you were planning on voting in person on May 6, but test positive for Covid-19, or have been advised to self-isolate, then please do not go to a polling station as you may spread the virus to others.
You can arrange for an emergency proxy vote instead.
Voters can apply for an emergency proxy vote up until 5pm on the day of the election, with those who have tested positive or are self-isolating due to Covid-19 not required to provide proof from a medical professional. Find out more: https://www.allerdale.gov.uk/en/elections/elections-may-2021/
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Your postal vote is yours alone...
Your postal vote doesn’t belong to anyone who intimidates you, tries to bribe you, or pretends to be you. It’s yours, and yours alone. If someone tries to take your vote, or the vote of anyone you know, contact Crimestoppers annonymously on 0800 555 111 or at on via the link below.
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...As is your vote at a polling station
Your vote doesn’t belong to anyone who intimidates you, pretends to be you, tries to bribe you, or enter the polling booth with you. It’s yours, and yours alone. If someone tries to take your vote, or the vote of anyone you know, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or on the link below.
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When will we know the election results?
We are counting the by-election votes on Friday 7 May with the Cumbria Police and Crime Commissioner election count being held on Monday 10 May.
The results of all the elections will be posted on our website, as well as on our social media accounts. We'll also provide a round-up of the results by email newsletter.
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