PLANS are underway to ensure Stratford voters stay safe on polling day.
While county council and Police and Crime Commissioner elections are not until May, Stratford District Council (SDC) is already making plans to help ensure residents can safely cast their vote.
For those travelling a to polling station, measures will include hand sanitiser, floor markings and face masks.
SDC’s deputy electoral registration officer Caroline Nash said: “The elections this year are very important – they’re an opportunity to make your voice heard and have a say on who represents you on issues that directly affect day-to-day life here in Stratford-on-Avon.
“We’re thinking about these elections now so that, however you choose to cast your vote in May, you can do so safely. We’re putting arrangements in place to help you stay safe at the polling station; you can expect many of the measures you’ve become used to in shops and banks over recent months, such as hand sanitiser, floor markings and face masks. But you also have the option to apply to vote by post or by proxy.
“We are also asking electors to check their poll cards as their polling station may have been changed for these elections only.”
Ailsa Irvine, director of electoral administration and guidance at the electoral commission said: “The choice on how to vote at May’s elections is yours – you can have your say in person, by post or by proxy.
“If you’re thinking about voting by post, you can apply now. This will make sure your application is processed early, and your postal vote can be sent to you more quickly. It’s easy to apply and you can find out how by visiting the Electoral Commission website.
“You need to be registered to vote in order to have a say at the elections – the easiest way to register is online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.”
Visit www.stratford.gov.uk/election for more information.
