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With 8 days left until polling stations open on 6 May, we are urging voters to take note of the changes made to help you stay safe as you get ready to vote.
Across the Epping Forest District there are 4 polls taking place:
- Essex County Council Elections
- District Council Elections
- Parish and Town Elections
- Essex Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Elections
Keeping you safe
Polling stations will be safe places to vote on 6 May. People voting in person are encouraged to keep themselves and others safe by:
- Wearing a face covering
- Bringing their own pen or pencil
- Cleaning their hands when entering and leaving the polling station
- The number of voters allowed inside the polling station at one time will be restricted so you may have to queue outside so please be patient
- Some polling stations are operating an in/out system, staff will instruct you where to go
- 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.
Check your polling station
Georgina Blakemore, Returning Officer and Chief Exec of the 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.
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.
Safety measures
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.
Further Information
For further information on how to apply for an emergency proxy, voters should contact the electoral registration team on.
- Email elections@eppingforestdc.gov.uk
- Call 01992 564411
For further information on elections in their area, visit the electoral commission website. This page will continue to be updated ahead of the polls.
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