Thousands of residents across Sefton are set to receive letters in the coming days encouraging them to register for postal voting ahead of local elections in May.
With plans still in place for a nationwide election process to be held this summer, Sefton Council’s Elections Teams are currently encouraging all residents over the age of 76 to take up the option of submitting a postal vote.
16,000 residents aged 76 or over who have previously never used the postal voting system, will receive letters in the mail to explain how the safe and secure process works.
On May 6, 2021, a local election will be held in Sefton with 22 seats on the local authority being contested. By-elections will also take place for Blundellsands and Derby wards.
Residents will be voting for the seats which were set to be contested in the 2020 local elections process but were postponed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dwayne Johnson, Chief Executive of Sefton Council, said: “Absent voting is a key element of every election and it is not uncommon for thousands of postal and proxy votes to be submitted.
“However this years elections, should they proceed as planned, demonstrates an even greater need for residents to be able to cast their votes safely, securely and remotely.
“We are well aware by now of those vulnerable members of our community who must continue to take extra precautions over the the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which is why we are encouraging residents to sign up for postal and proxy voting.
“It is important to ensure clear and transparent processes are put in place to maintain the integrity of the election and our teams are doing all they can to make certain every voice is heard.
“Your vote matters.”
Residents who wish to vote in the May 6 elections will be able to via the usual means of in-person voting, postal voting or voting by proxy.
For residents who wish to vote in person at a polling station a social distancing and COVID secure system will be in place to ensure both staff and voters are kept safe.
This may mean the process of submitting your vote may take slightly longer than usual.
The deadline for receipt of all postal vote applications is April 20, 2021 with those registered to vote remotely expected to receive their voting packs around April 24.
The 2021 elections run alongside voting processes for the Merseyside Police Area, Police & Crime Commissioner and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Mayor.
OTS News on Social Media