Election Day 6 May - voting will be different!
12th of March, 2021
There will be Elections held on 6 May 2021, but how can you vote & what is safe? See linked document to know.
This year will include Election for County Councillors, and Police & Crime Commissioner.
In Bolton by Bowland (note, not for Electors of Sawley or Gisburn Forest) there will also be an Election for Parish Councillor, following the death of Geoff Curry.
Due to Covid, there have been changes announced on how voting can take place.
If you choose to vote in person, you are asked to keep yourself and others safe by:
> · Wearing a face covering
> · Bringing your own pen or pencil
> · Cleaning your hands when entering and leaving the polling station
> · Keeping a safe distance
You should not attend the polling station if you have symptoms of Covid-19, or have been asked to self-isolate, and provisions are in place if you need an emergency proxy vote for health reasons.
Jane Horsfield, electoral and licensing officer at Ribble Valley Borough Council said: “It is important to ensure your voice is heard at the elections in May and we are putting measures in place to help you cast your vote safely.
“The choice on how you vote – in person, by post or by proxy – is yours and if you vote in person please follow safety measures at the polling station.
“If you decide to vote by post, don’t wait until the deadline to apply. Sending your application now will ensure it is processed early and your postal vote can be sent to you quickly once the election candidates are confirmed.”
To be eligible to vote in local elections you must be aged 18 or over (a person may register to vote at 16, but may not vote until they are 18), a British or qualifying Commonwealth citizen who has leave to enter and remain in the UK or does not require such leave, or a citizen of the Republic of Ireland or other European Union (EU) member state.
The deadline for registering to vote for the May elections is midnight on Monday, April 19.
The deadline for applying for a new postal vote or making changes to an existing postal or proxy vote is 5pm on Tuesday, April 20.
You can register to vote at gov.uk/register-to-vote or further details are available from Ribble Valley Borough Council’s elections team on 01200 414411.