Swindon voters asked to wear a face covering and take a pen or pencil to vote ahead of next week’s local elections
With less than a week to go before the local elections, residents are being reminded to wear a face covering and take their own pen or pencil when they cast their votes.
Published: Friday, 30th April 2021
All residents who are voting at the local election in person next Thursday (6 May) should stick to the COVID-19 safety measures in place at the polling stations. This includes wearing a face covering (unless exempt) and keeping to social distancing rules. They should also take their own pen or pencil to cast their vote and use the hand sanitising stations available.
If residents become ill or have to self-isolate due to coronavirus and cannot vote in person, they can apply for an emergency proxy up to 5pm on the day of the election. The form to apply for an emergency proxy is available on the Council’s website. Alternatively, voters can contact the Elections Team by emailing elecreg@swindon.gov.uk or phoning 01793 445500.
Matt Box, Electoral Services Manager for Swindon Borough Council, said: “The elections are only a few days away, so it’s important that residents prepare for when they visit their polling station to vote. This year, we are making a few changes to the way the elections are being run due to the pandemic.
“Residents should check their poll cards for the location of their polling station as they may be different to normal. If they don’t have their poll card, they can find their polling station on the Council’s website.
“In polling stations, there will be a number of COVID-safe measures in place. This includes social distance markers, a limit to the amount of people in polling stations at any one time, and a request for voters to wear face coverings, unless they are exempt. There will be sanitiser stations available and we’re asking people to bring their own pen or pencil to cast their vote.”
The elections taking place on Thursday, 6 May are for the next Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire, elections in all 20 Swindon Borough Council wards, and elections in 11 Parish Council areas.
More information about the upcoming local election is available at: