Three Ways to Vote at the May 6 Elections
Residents in Ribble Valley have three ways to vote when they go to the polls on Thursday 6 May.
Elections will take place for Lancashire County Council’s four Ribble Valley divisions – Clitheroe, Longridge with Bowland, Ribble Valley North East and Ribble Valley South West – as well as the Lancashire police and crime commissioner.
Byelections are also scheduled for the Ribble Valley wards of Billington and Langho, and Mellor.
There are three ways to vote at the elections – in person, by post or by proxy, which is when you appoint someone to vote on your behalf.
If you choose to vote in person, you are asked to keep yourself and others safe by:
- Wearing a face covering
- Bringing your own pen or pencil
- Cleaning your hands when entering and leaving the polling station
- Keeping a safe distance
You should not attend the polling station if you have symptoms of Covid-19, or have been asked to self-isolate, and provisions are in place if you need an emergency proxy vote for health reasons.
Jane Horsfield, electoral and licensing officer at Ribble Valley Borough Council said: “It is important to ensure your voice is heard at the elections in May and we are putting measures in place to help you cast your vote safely.
“The choice on how you vote – in person, by post or by proxy – is yours and if you vote in person please follow safety measures at the polling station.
“If you decide to vote by post, don’t wait until the deadline to apply. Sending your application now will ensure it is processed early and your postal vote can be sent to you quickly once the election candidates are confirmed.”
To be eligible to vote in local elections you must be aged 18 or over (a person may register to vote at 16, but may not vote until they are 18), a British or qualifying Commonwealth citizen who has leave to enter and remain in the UK or does not require such leave, or a citizen of the Republic of Ireland or other European Union (EU) member state.
The deadline for registering to vote for the May elections is midnight on Monday 19 April.
The deadline for applying for a new postal vote or making changes to an existing postal or proxy vote is 5pm on Tuesday 20 April.
You can register to vote at gov.uk/register-to-vote or further details are available from Elections 6 May 2021 or Ribble Valley Borough Council’s elections team on 01200 414411.