On Thursday 6 May 2021 there will be seven elections taking place in the Borough:
- Police and Crime Commissioner for the Cleveland Police Area
- Tees Valley Combined Authority Mayoral
- By-elections for councillors in the Bishopsgarth and Elm Tree, Billingham West, Hartburn, Western Parishes and Yarm wards
To vote in these elections you must be registered to vote before midnight on Monday 19 April. It’s quick and easy to register to vote online by visiting www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.
If you can’t register online, please contact our Voter Registration Helpline on 01642 526196 and we will arrange for a paper application.
There are three ways to vote:
- Voting in person
- You can vote in person at your designated polling station as normal. You will receive your ballot paper in the post which will tell you the polling station you need to use.
- Read the information on the next page about how we’re keeping polling stations as safe as possible for you to vote.
Voting by post
You can apply for a postal vote and join 47,000 others in the Borough who have already registered. If you want a postal vote for these elections, make sure you apply early – before 5pm on Tuesday 20 April.
To apply for a postal vote, visit www.gov.uk/register-to-vote or contact the Voter Registration Helpline on 01642 526196.
Voting by proxy
Voting by proxy means that you appoint someone you trust to vote on your behalf, and is a convenient way of voting if you are unable to get to the polling station.
Contact the Voter Registration Helpline on 01642 526196 to register a proxy vote.
Making polling stations COVID-19 safe
We are putting arrangements in place to help ensure polling stations are as safe as possible for you to vote. You can expect many of the measures you’ve become used to over recent months in shops and other spaces.
Here’s some of what we’re doing:
- Polling stations will have altered layouts to allow for social distancing when waiting to vote and when completing a ballot paper, but will still ensure electors can cast their vote in secret
- Fewer people will be allowed in the polling station at one time
- There will be COVID Marshals patrolling on election day and available to help where necessary
- Polling stations will have separate entrances and exits where possible
- Staff working in the polling stations will be wearing personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Polling booths will be regularly sanitised
Here’s what you can do to help
- Please wear a face covering unless you are exempt from wearing one
- You will be asked to use hand sanitiser when entering the polling station
- If possible, please avoid peak times (7am to 9.30am, lunchtime, 3.30pm to 4.30pm and 6pm to 8pm)
- Please bring your own pen or pencil to minimise contact with staff and between voters