This Council resolves to implement a campaign to encourage people to sign up to use their postal vote; ensure that this campaign is ongoing up to polling day, and advertises key dates for voters to be aware of; endeavour to make the public aware that while precautions are being taken to ensure a safe election day, the safest way to vote will be by using a postal vote.
This Council notes that:
- The Government has currently committed to pushing ahead with local elections on May 6th
- Despite the roll out of vaccinations, it is highly likely that the threat of COVID-19 will still be prevalent in our communities leading up to the local election
- There will be significant challenges to be faced to ensure a safe election day in 2021
This Council further notes that:
- While precautions will be taken to ensure a safe election day, the safest way for people to vote will be to stay at home and vote by post.
- Internationally, record numbers of people chose to vote in advance or by postal ballot, including in the USA and New Zealand. (US election 2020: How many Americans have voted early so far?)(2020 General Election advance voting statistics)
- At the last general election in the UK 3.1M people registered to vote between the election being called and the deadline to register (General election 2019: More than 3.1m register to vote ahead of midnight deadline)
This Council resolves to:
- Implement a campaign to encourage people to sign up to use their postal vote
- Ensure that this campaign is ongoing up to polling day, and advertises key dates for voters to be aware of
- Endeavour to make the public aware that while precautions are being taken to ensure a safe election day, the safest way to vote will be by using a postal vote