Residents are being urged to apply early if they are thinking of voting by post or proxy in the upcoming May elections.
Voters go to the polls on Thursday, 6 May to elect a new West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner and councillors to represent them on Worcestershire County Council.
Arrangements are being made to make sure people can vote in person at these elections. Covid-19 Secure measures will be in place at polling stations including one-way systems, regular sanitising of common touchpoints and ventilation where possible. Because of this people may not be able to vote at their usual polling station so should check their poll card carefully when they start to arrive towards the end of March/early April.
Voters will also be asked to bring their own pen or pencil to make their mark on their ballot paper and will have to wear a face covering unless legally exempt. Social distancing will also be in place.
Anyone who would prefer to vote from the safety of their own home though can do so by applying for a postal vote or can send someone else to vote for them – known as a proxy vote.
The deadline for applying for a postal vote for this election is 20 April 2021 at 5pm and a proxy vote at 5pm on 27 April 2021.
Details of how to apply can be found at www.malvernhills.gov.uk/elections.
Anyone who has recently moved house or just turned 18 may need to register to vote. This can be done online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.
Katie Vass, Electoral Services Manager for Malvern Hills District Council, said: "We will do everything we can to make voting in-person on 6 May as Covid-19 Secure as possible. If people would prefer to vote by post or proxy then we would urge them to apply as soon as possible. By applying early, it will give people the maximum time possible to receive and return their postal ballot or confirm arrangements for their proxy vote."
