Council launches public information video on Covid secure polling stations

Northumberland County Council has uploaded a video on YouTube detailing Covid-19 safety changes to polling stations ahead of the local elections on May 6.
Rothbury polling stationRothbury polling station
Rothbury polling station

The video states: “Each polling station will have extra staff carrying out regular cleaning of touch points throughout the day.”

In addition, mask wearing in polling stations is compulsory with some exemptions.

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These include people unable to wear masks due to mental or physical disability or people speaking to or providing assistance to people dependent on lip-reading.

As usual, voters will not require their polling cards to vote, only their name and address.

However, if voters do bring their polling cards they are asked to take them home with them.

Kelly Angus, Deputy Chief Executive and the council’s Returning Officer, said: “The safety of voters is an absolute priority.

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“Voting by post saves a trip to the polling station and can be particularly helpful for those who may struggle, those living in a remote rural area and for those who may be working, or away on polling day.

“It also offers a safe and secure method of voting, which is particularly important at this time due to coronavirus.

“For those who choose to vote in person, they can expect to see many of the measures they’ve become used to in shops and banks over recent months, such as sanitising, floor markings and face coverings.

“Whichever way works for them, it is really important that everyone makes their voice heard.”

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227 polling stations will be open across Northumberland from 7am to 10pm on May 6.

Members of the public can register or check if they are registered to vote on the government website www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.

If you are unable or unwilling to vote in person members of the public can apply for postal or proxy votes.

Voters can apply for a postal vote up to 5pm on the 11th working day before May 6.

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Voters can also apply for a proxy vote up to 5pm on the 6th working day before May 6.

To arrange a proxy or postal vote, email the council at [email protected] or call the election service at 01670 624811.