COVID-safe Voting in Macclesfield: Have your say on 6 May

By Alex Greensmith

5th May 2021 | Local News

It is just a matter of hours before polls for the Macclesfield Town Council, Bollington Town Council, and the Cheshire Police Commissioner elections open.

While there are no Cheshire East Council seats up for grabs in Macclesfield, Cheshire East Council is urging voters to get ready to cast their votes.

Polling stations will be safe places to vote on 6 May.

People voting in person are encouraged to keep themselves and others safe by wearing a face covering (unless exempt), as well as bringing their own pen to mark their vote.

It is also recommended for Macclesfield and Bollington voters to clean their hands when entering the polling station, and keeping a safe distance from others.

Voters should not attend the polling station if they have symptoms of COVID-19, or if they have been asked to self-isolate.

Cheshire East Council are the owners of many polling station buildings, and their chief executive Lorraine O'Donnell had this to say:

"Your poll card will tell you where to find your polling station. Make sure you check the information on your polling card, as your polling station might have changed since the last elections."

The Returning Officer for elections in the borough added: "You do not need your poll card to vote, however, we encourage you to bring it with you to make the process quicker and more efficient.

"Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm on Thursday 6 May. Voters who have opted to vote by post must return their postal ballot pack by 10pm – and they can hand it in at their polling station if they don't have time to return it by post."

Ailsa Irvine, Director of Electoral Administration and Guidance at the Electoral Commission, said: "If you are voting in person, make sure you remember to bring your face covering and a pen or pencil with you. At the polling station, help keep yourself and others safe by following the safety measures, including sanitising your hands and keeping a safe distance from others.

"If you are self-isolating or become unwell as a result of Covid-19, you don't need to lose your vote. You will be able to apply for an emergency proxy vote so that someone you trust can vote on your behalf."

While the deadline to apply for a proxy vote passed on the 27 April, emergency proxy votes will be available up until 17:00 on election day if voters need to self-isolate.

For further information on how to apply for an emergency proxy, voters should contact the electoral registration team at Cheshire East Council on 0300 123 5016.

Electoral Commission guidance[ encourages "all voters to wear a face covering in order to keep themselves and others safe. Polling station staff will have spare face coverings available for anyone who forgets to bring one.

"Polling station staff will not prevent voters from entering a polling station and voting if they do not wear a face covering."

For further information on elections in their area, voters can visit the Electoral Commission website.

We will find out the results to most votes by Friday, which includes the parish elections and the Police Commissioner poll.

Labour's David Keane will contest his current position to Jo Conchie of the Liberal Democrats, John Dwyer from the Conservatives, and Nick Goulding of Reform UK.

Please head to our homepage to see some of our interviews with councillor candidates Macc and Bolly residents can vote for tomorrow.

Happy voting Macclesfield!

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