How you can vote in the May elections

In May, voters will go to the polls for Council elections, and to elect the Humberside Police and Crime Commissioner.

In North East Lincolnshire, 12 Council Wards will be put to the vote on Thursday, 6 May 2021.

Voters will need to make sure that their electoral roll details are up-to-date and can choose from three ways to vote.

Anyone who is registered to vote can cast a vote in person by visiting their designated polling station.

Voters can also arrange in advance to cast their vote by post or have someone else cast their vote for them – voting by proxy.

Voting in person

If you have registered and are eligible to vote, the local elections office will send you a poll card telling you where and when to vote. You can still vote if you have misplaced your poll card; you do not have to take it with you to the polling station.

Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm on the day of the election. You will need to provide your name and address to polling station staff when you arrive.

If you are disabled, the election staff will be able to help you. The polling stations will have wheelchair access, equipment for visual impairment and low-level polling booths.

Voting by post

You can use postal voting as a one off or permanently. You do not need to meet a criteria to vote by post.

When you apply to vote by post, your signature and date of birth will be scanned. This is to make sure the ballot paper you return is your vote. If the signature and date of birth do not match, your vote will not be counted.

You must have completed an application to vote by post at least 11 working days before an election.

Voting by proxy

If you need someone to vote on your behalf, you can apply for a proxy vote. You can apply for a proxy vote for one election only or, if you meet the following criteria and your application is attested, you can have a permanent proxy vote:

• a physical condition that means you cannot vote in person or by post.
• attending a course for educational purposes and will not make it to your polling station.
• unable to vote due to being away for work.

A spokesperson for North East Lincolnshire Council said: “It’s important that everyone who is eligible to vote is able to do so.

“As we approach the May elections, people need to think about how they intend to vote. If you are likely to be unable to vote on the day, it is worth considering a vote by post or by proxy.

“To do so, you’ll need to register in plenty of time. To register to vote, or to change how you vote in elections, visit www.nelincs.gov.uk/electoral-register-and-voting or call 01472 324160.”

The Government is working with Council’s across the UK to ensure elections can take place in a COVID-safe way.