Gloucester City Council, who run elections in the city, have today issued the following statement:

‘On Thursday 6 May, Gloucester’s residents will go to the polls to have their say on who represents them for the next few years.

Residents are being asked to vote for who represents them at Gloucester City Council, Gloucestershire County Council and to select their Police and Crime Commissioner. 

There are a number of ways to take part in the election – voters can visit a polling station where Covid safety measures will be place, including staff wearing face coverings and sitting behind screens and social distancing measures inside and outside each polling station. 

Anyone voting in person is required to wear a face covering when inside the poling station, unless exempt for medical reasons and may bring their own pen if they wish. 

Alternatively people can vote by post or appoint someone they trust to vote on their behalf, which is known as a proxy vote.

Letters are being sent out to let voters in Gloucester know if they are registered to vote and the ways they can take part in the election.  

Anyone who isn’t yet registered has until April 19 to do so. The deadline to apply for postal votes is April 20 and for a proxy it is April 27.

However, if a voter tests positive for Covid 19 or is required to self-isolate after the deadline, they will be able to apply for an emergency proxy vote up until 5pmon polling day.

Jon McGinty, Managing Director at Gloucester City Council and Returning Officer, said: “The elections are very important – they’re an opportunity to make your voice heard and have a say on who represents you on issues that directly affect day-to-day life here in Gloucester. 

“However you choose to cast your vote in May, you can do so safely. We’re putting arrangements in place to help you stay safe at the polling station; you can expect many of the measures you’ve become used to in shops over recent months, such as hand sanitiser, screens and face masks. But you also have the option to apply to vote by post or by proxy but please don’t leave it too late to do so.”

For information visit the Gloucester City Council website or call 01452 396203.’