Borough Council Elections

Whilst we acknowledge the current situation with the pandemic is dramatically different than in the lead up to May 2021, we are planning on the basis that there is always a risk that new variants of the coronavirus may still emerge in the lead up to the elections on 5 May 2022.

Many of the methods used at the elections in May 2021 such as Perspex screens, face coverings, and hand sanitiser will remain in place to ensure the elections are conducted successfully, regardless of the public health situation in the future.

We’re putting these arrangements in place to help you stay safe at the polling station, but you also have the option to apply to vote by post or by proxy.

Personal protective equipment

• Polling staff will be provided with hand gel
• Polling staff will be seated behind screens
• Polling staff will be provided with face masks to be used whenever staff are not seated behind a screen
• Voters are recommended to wear a face covering inside the polling place, unless exempt
• Additional face masks for voters will be provided if they forget to bring one.

Cleaning, hygiene and hand washing

• Polling places will be cleaned before polling day
• Polling staff will regularly clean contact surfaces throughout the day (e.g. polling booths, door handles, ballot pencils). Cleaning products and gloves will be provided
• Polling staff will be provided with separate bin bags for disposal of waste (e.g. used face masks, gloves or cleaning wipes)
• Voters should use the hand gel provided before entering the polling place
• Voters are asked to bring their own pen or pencil to use on polling day.

Space

• Voters and staff are asked to be considerate of others' personal space.

Ventilation

• Entrance / exit doors (excluding internal fire doors) and windows will be kept open to ensure the polling station is well ventilated.