Dorset's polling stations will be safe places to vote
Elections are being held tomorrow, Thursday 6 May
Last year's cancelled local council and Police and Crime Commissioner elections are finally going ahead tomorrow 6th May.
They were called off over concerns about how to make them safe in a coronavirus pandemic.
Tomorrow Dorset Council say they'll be putting in place safety measures we've become used to over recent months.
How will it look under new restrictions?
Measures to ensure the voting experience is safe include:
social distancing (inside and outside venues)
limits on the number of people inside polling stations
maximum ventilation of polling stations
hand sanitiser
regular cleaning
Voters will be required to follow the signage and any instructions at their polling station.
Voters are encouraged to bring their own pens/pencils. However, they will be provided for anyone who does not bring their own.
Face coverings are required inside the polling station (unless exempt). Elections staff will also be wearing face coverings.
If anyone needs support to complete a ballot paper, they can take someone with them to help, for example a carer or support worker. The person helping must either be a close relative or someone eligible to vote in that election and they must not already have helped more than one other person to vote at the same election. Alternatively, the member of staff in charge of the polling station can help.
Jonathan Mair, Corporate Director - Legal & Democratic, Dorset Council said:
"I want to give every reassurance that our polling stations will be safe places for voters to cast their vote on 6 May. All venues will be COVID-safe, with the measures applied that we've all become used to in our supermarkets and banks over the past year.
"Our staff have been working hard to achieve this and look forward to meeting local voters on 6 May."
To find out what elections are taking place in Dorset CLICK HERE.
Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19, or displays symptoms, should self-isolate and not visit a polling station.
Emergency proxy voting will be available for any voters who are self-isolating, or shielding, on the day of the elections. They will be able to appoint someone else to vote on their behalf up to 5pm on polling day.
Polling station details are provided on poll cards posted to registered voters. Anyone registered to vote who does not have their poll card can provide their name and address at their polling station.
See polling stations atwww.wheredoivote.co.uk