Over 42,000 people have signed up for a postal vote ahead of the coming Sefton Local Elections in May, with the deadline to register closing at 5pm tomorrow (Tuesday 20 April).
Sefton Council has seen an additional 8,000 residents apply for a postal voting pack, which will allow them to submit their ballots without having to visit a polling station.
On May 6, 2021, a local election will be held in the borough with 22 seats on the local authority being contested. By-elections will also take place for Blundellsands and Derby wards.
Residents will be voting for the seats which were set to be contested in the 2020 local elections process but were postponed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
While every measure is being taken to ensure Sefton’s polling stations are COVID-19 secure, residents are able to apply for either a postal or proxy voting pack if they cannot or do not want to physically attend a polling station.
The deadline to register for a postal vote is 5pm on Tuesday, April 20, while the deadline to register for a proxy vote, which allows a nominated individual to vote on someone’s behalf, is 5pm on Tuesday, April 27.
Dwayne Johnson, Chief Executive of Sefton Council, said: “Absent voting is a key element of every election and it is not uncommon for thousands of postal and proxy votes to be submitted.
“However this years elections demonstrates an even greater desire for residents to be able to cast their votes safely, securely and remotely.
“Nevertheless we have been working extremely hard to ensure our 132 polling stations across the borough are COVID-19 secure and we have measures in place to ensure safe and secure in-person voting.
“If you are voting in person on May 6, we would ask that you follow social distancing guidelines, wear a face covering and bring your own pen.
“It is important to ensure clear and transparent processes are put in place to maintain the integrity of the election and our teams are doing all they can to make certain every voice is heard.
“Your vote matters.”
For more information about the 2021 Local Elections, including how to register for postal and proxy voting, visit www.sefton.gov.uk/elections
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