Covid changes the way we vote, are you registered to vote in the May elections?

Local elections are coming up and Covid means you might want to change the way you vote. 

Local elections are coming up on Thursday, 6 May, and due to the pandemic, it might mean you would like the change the way you usually vote. 

Although South Hams District Council say that they will "observe social distancing and require all those coming in to vote to wear face masks" as well as providing hand sanitiser and "anything else deemed necessary and appropriate at the time", you may wish to apply for a postal or proxy vote. A proxy vote means someone else votes on your behalf. 

Elections coming up on 6 May, 2021, are: 

• Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon and Cornwall
• Councillors to Devon County Council. There will be elections of one councillor to each of the seven South Hams county divisions
• South Hams District Council By-Election in the Ivybridge West Ward
• Town/Parish Council by-elections in
  • Dartmouth Clifton (five vacancies)
  • Dartmouth Townstal (one vacancy)
  • Modbury (one vacancy)
  • Stoke Gabriel (three vacancies)
  • Marldon (two vacancies)
• Neighbourhood Plan Referendums for
  • Aveton Gifford
  • South Huish
  • Strete
  • Kingswear
  • Kingston

To register to vote CLICK HERE. It is always worth checking that you are on the electoral register as moving house, getting married or changing your name can mean you are no longer registered.

To register for a postal or proxy vote CLICK HERE. 

Important dates:

• Deadline for delivery of nomination papers is 4pm on Thursday, 8 April
• Deadline for receiving electoral registration applications is midnight on Monday, 19 April
• Deadline for receiving new postal vote applications is 5pm on Tuesday, 20 April
• Deadline to change existing absent vote arrangements is 5pm on Tuesday, 20 April
• Deadline for receiving new proxy vote applications is 5pm on Tuesday, 27 April
• Polling day is 7am to 10pm on Thursday, 6 May

For more information visit the SHDC voting website: www.southhams.gov.uk/May-2021-Elections