By Maria Zaccaro, Local Democracy Reporter
Residents head to the polls on May 6 for the first local elections since 2019, but due to the pandemic arrangements will be slightly different this year. Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about the elections.
In Southampton voters are being asked to elect a councillor for each of the 16 wards in the city.
And people living in Hampshire will be asked to elect the new police and crime commissioner as well as their own local councillors.
But due to the pandemic this year’s elections will be a little bit different and there will not be the traditional overnight count.
Can people vote in person at polling stations?
Yes. Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm. If there’s a queue, residents will still be able vote as long as they joined it before 10pm.
What safety measures will be in place at polling stations?
Social distancing measures will be in place;
There may be a limit on how many people are allowed inside the polling station;
Voters will be expected to wear a face covering;
Hand sanitiser will be available on entry and exit;
The polling station staff may be behind protective screens but residents will still be able to ask them for help if needed;
Polling station staff will be cleaning regularly, so residents might need to wait for a polling booth to be cleaned before they can use it.
Residents can take their own pencil or pen with them. Clean pencils will be available for each voter.
Where possible, polling stations will have a one-way system and residents might be asked to follow the signage and any instructions.
How about emergency proxy votes?
If an elector cannot attend the polling station due to Coronavirus, their application to vote by proxy must reach councils by 5pm on the day of poll.
Where an appointed long-term proxy considers that they are, or are likely to be unable to attend the polling station on the grounds of following coronavirus advice, the elector can apply to change the person who is appointed as their proxy.
Applications must reach councils by 5pm on the day of poll.
When will ballots be counted?
There will be no overnight count.
Counting for the Southampton City Council election will take place on May 8.
Counting for the Police and Crime Commissioner election will take place on May 10, when the results are expected to be announced in Southampton.
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