How voting in local elections will be different this year

Polling stations will open on Thursday morning across Cornwall so that people can vote in local elections.

There could be up to three elections for people to vote in on Thursday – Cornwall Council elections, Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner elections, and town or parish council elections.

With Covid-19 restrictions still in place, visiting a polling station could be a little different this year and Cornwall Council has provided details on what to expect.

Details of where your designated polling station is can be found on your polling card – you have to vote at your designated polling station.

Voters are asked to take their own pen or pencil to cast their votes – pencils are usually provided but to prevent spreading Covid-19 the Government has said that all voters must take their own.

If there are people ahead of you waiting to go into the polling station please maintain your distance from others and remain two-metres apart. When you get to the front of the queue wait until you are called before entering.

Make sure you are wearing a face-covering when you enter the polling station and use the hand sanitiser provided. Follow the one-way system within the polling station.

Although it is not necessary to take your polling card to the polling station in order to vote it does make it easier for staff to find you on the list.

Once given your ballot papers you will be directed to which booth to use to cast your vote. Once you have marked your papers fold them up and place them in the ballot box.

When you leave the polling station again follow the one-way system which has been put in place to help maintain social distancing.

If you need help at the polling station ask staff to help you. If necessary you are allowed to take someone to help you.

There will be large print versions of the ballot papers on display and a 'tactile' voting device to help blind and partially sighted voters.

If you develop Covid-19 symptoms and need to self-isolate before the election, stay at home. You can apply for an emergency proxy vote up until 5pm on polling day. For full details about this go to the Cornwall Council website.

Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm on Thursday (May 6). Votes will be verified overnight on Thursday and counting will start at 10am on Friday (May 7). Results will be declared throughout the day on Friday.

Votes in parish and town council elections are due to be counted on Saturday (May 8) and votes in the PCC elections will be counted on Monday (May 10). The final results from Devon and Cornwall will be declared in Exeter.

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