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:

• wearing a face covering
• bringing their own pen or pencil  
• cleaning their hands when entering and leaving the polling station  
• 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.   

For further information on elections in their area, voters can visit https://www.allerdale.gov.uk/en/elections/elections-may-2021/ as well as the Electoral Commission’s website at www.electoralcommission.org.uk/voter. These pages will continue to be updated ahead of the polls.