THE deadline is approaching for residents to apply for postal or proxy votes for the borough, town and parish elections, and for the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Cheshire election on Thursday 6 May.
With the elections in just a matter of weeks, the council is reminding residents that they still have time to decide how they would like to participate this year.
Importantly, the council is working to make sure that polling stations in Warrington are COVID-secure, to minimise any chance of the virus spreading. This will include protective screens, hand sanitiser and social distancing measures in place at each polling station.
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 still have chance to 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.
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, said: “You have three weeks to go until the deadline for applying for a postal vote. Although our polling stations will be COVID secure, and we will have measures in place to keep people safe, we understand that people may want to vote in different ways this year due to the pandemic.
“Don’t miss your chance to cast your vote. Registering for a postal or proxy vote, for example, is very straightforward and means that you can still participate in the elections this year.”
You can find out more about this year’s elections, as well as how to apply for a postal or proxy vote if necessary, by visiting warrington.gov.uk/elections2021
