Changes to elections due to Covid-19 | Changes to elections due to Covid-19

On Friday 5 February, the government announced that all mayoral and local elections would go ahead in May. These are elections that should have taken place in May 2020, but were postponed due to the pandemic. Read more about the elections taking place in Norwich.

The government has said that the polls will run as normally as possible, but with sensible measures put in place to protect against the spread of covid and overcome practical challenges.

The main changes voters can expect at this year’s elections:

Voting methods - Voters will continue to have access to three methods of voting, which are: in person at a polling station; by postal vote; by proxy vote.

However, in recognition that the pandemic may have changed the way people want to vote – anyone who is shielding, or who would prefer not to attend a polling station is to be encouraged to apply for a postal or proxy vote ahead of the polls.

Change of rules for proxy voting - Voters who are self-isolating or displaying symptoms due to covid-19 can now apply for a proxy vote up until 5pm on polling day. There will be no requirement for the application to be attested by a medical practitioner.

Face to face campaigning -The government has announced that covid-secure political campaigning can go ahead from 8 March. Read more in their press release on Gov.uk.

Polling stations - Social distancing and other safety measures will be in operation in polling stations, as in all public spaces.

There may be a change of polling station location for some residents due to the need to use a venue which can be made covid-secure.

Count - Following the closure of polling stations, votes must be counted and results announced. However, extra measure will need to be in place to ensure this process is covid-secure and effective. This means, we expect the count (and results) to take more time than for previous polls.