Voters are being advised of the steps that can be taken to keep themselves and others safe.
On May 6 residents in Carlisle will go to the polls to have their say on who represents them as their Police and Crime Commissioner.
Some residents will also be able to take part in Carlisle City Council by-elections.
The consultation on local reorganisation in Cumbria means that Carlisle City Council and Cumbria County Council elections won’t go ahead as planned. However, elections for the Cumbria Police and Crime Commissioner and vacant seats on local councils will still be held.
In Carlisle, there will be three Carlisle City Council by-elections – Cathedral & Castle ward, Harraby South & Parklands ward and Newtown & Morton North city ward.
There will also be a Cumbria County Council by-election in the Brampton division.
Parish council elections will also be held in Brampton, Carlatton & Cumrew, Castle Carrock, Cumwhitton, Hayton and Wetheral.
Voters have a range of options for casting their ballot – in person, by post or by appointing someone they trust to vote in their place, known as a proxy vote.
The deadline to apply for a postal vote is 5pm on April 20, and for a proxy vote, the deadline is 5pm on April 27.
For those who choose to vote in person, polling stations will be safe places to vote on 6 May. Voters are encouraged to keep themselves and others safe by:
- Wearing a face covering.
- Bringing their own pen or pencil.
- Cleaning their hands when entering and leaving the polling station.
- Keeping a safe distance.
Voters should not attend the polling station if they have symptoms of COVID-19, or if they have been asked to self-isolate. There will be provisions in place to apply for an emergency proxy vote if required due to health circumstances.
Jason Gooding, Carlisle City Council chief executive said: “It’s important to make sure your voice is heard at the elections in May, and we are putting measures in place to help you cast your vote safely. You can vote either vote at a polling station, by post or by proxy.
“You can find more information about how to apply to vote by post or proxy on our website – www.carlisle.gov.uk.”
The deadline to register to vote for the May 2021 elections is midnight on April 19.
