On Thursday 6 May, residents in Enfield will go to the polls to have their say on who represents them, by voting in the Mayor of London and London Assembly election.
A number of by-elections will also be held on the same day in the borough.
Residents are now being invited to apply for a postal vote, so they can vote in the comfort of their own home. The deadline to apply for a secure postal vote is Tuesday 20 April at 5pm.
Voters have a range of options for casting their ballot – by post, in person or by appointing someone they trust to vote in their place, known as a proxy vote. The deadline to register a proxy vote is Tuesday 27 April at 5pm.
For those who decide to vote in person, polling stations in Enfield will be Covid safe places to visit on 6 May.
All polling station staff will be wearing personal protective equipment including face coverings; and they will clean surfaces like polling booths throughout the hours of polling.
Upon arrival, voters will be greeted by marshals who will manage queues and social distancing. One way entrance and exit signs will be marked that will allow one voter inside at a time; and screens will be installed at desks for the protection of staff and voters.
Voters are encouraged to keep themselves and others safe by wearing a face covering, to bring their own pen or pencil, use hand sanitiser when entering and leaving the polling station and to keep a safe distance from others.
Voters must not attend the polling station if they have symptoms of Covid-19, or if they have been asked to self-isolate. An emergency proxy vote process will be in place that will allow anyone who is self-isolating due to Covid-19 to access an emergency proxy vote, up to 5pm on election day.
Ian Davis, Chief Executive at Enfield Council, said: “It’s important to make sure your voice is heard at the elections in May. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we are putting measures in place to help you cast your vote safely and securely by post if you wish.
“If you decide to vote by post, please don’t wait until the deadline to apply. Sending your application now will make sure it is processed early, and your postal vote can be sent to you more quickly. It’s easy to apply and you can find out how by visiting our website or by contacting our Electoral Services team.”
Residents who have recently moved to the borough are encouraged to register to vote as soon as possible from their new address. The deadline to register for the May 2021 elections is midnight on Monday 19 April. More information can be found at GOV.UK - Register to vote.
To find out more about how to apply to vote by post or proxy, contact the Electoral Services team at Enfield Council on 020 3821 1813, or email elections@enfield.gov.uk.
Elections taking place in England, Scotland and Wales on 6 May 2021:
- Senedd
- Scottish Parliament
- English local government elections (includes polls postponed from May 2020), including elections to county, district and parish councils
- Police and Crime Commissioners (polls postponed from May 2020)
- Combined Authority Mayoral (includes polls postponed from May 2020)
- Local Mayoral (includes polls postponed from May 2020)
- Mayor of London and London Assembly (polls postponed from May 2020).