Bassetlaw MP: Government plans will keep everyone safe when voting in local elections

Last week, the Government published its delivery plan for May’s local elections.
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Here in Bassetlaw, that will mean people going out and voting for their local Nottinghamshire County Councillors as well as their Police and Crime Commissioner for the next four years.

That is why the Government is aiming to ensure that everyone who feels comfortable going to a supermarket or a post office should also feel confident enough to attend a polling station.

Safe and secure elections are the cornerstone of our democracy, so the Government has committed £92 million to these elections, with £31 million of this funding to ensure that the elections are Covid-19 secure.

Brendan Clarke-Smith, MP for Bassetlaw. Photo: London Portrait Photographer-DAVBrendan Clarke-Smith, MP for Bassetlaw. Photo: London Portrait Photographer-DAV
Brendan Clarke-Smith, MP for Bassetlaw. Photo: London Portrait Photographer-DAV

The Government’s plans also go a long way towards helping those in our community who are shielding, as well as supporting the need for emergency proxy votes for those who find themselves having to self-isolate at short notice.

As the economy recovers from Covid-19, local representatives will be at the heart of the country’s plan to help build back better.

That is why I am echoing the Government’s call for every elector to take the opportunity to have their say in May’s elections.

In Bassetlaw our elections are taking place on May 6, so please make sure you’re registered to vote so you can have your say on who represents you on issues that directly affect your day-to-day life here in Nottinghamshire.

Once you have registered you can choose a number of different ways to vote.

This can be in person, by post or by proxy.

To vote in person, after you have registered to vote you will be sent details of your local polling station.

On the day of the election, you will see many of the measures you’ve become used to in shops and banks over recent months, such as hand sanitiser, social distancing signs and face masks.

This is to make sure that you are able to vote in a Covid secure environment.

If you are voting by post then it is recommended that you apply now.

This is to make sure that your application is processed early and will mean that your postal vote can be sent to you more quickly.

The application is simple and straightforward and details can be found on the Electoral Commission’s website here.

If you are unable to vote in person, you can also appoint somebody to vote on your behalf.

This is known as voting by proxy.

To be able to nominate somebody as your proxy, you both need to be registered to vote.

If you need to register to vote and would like to apply to vote by post or by proxy then you can do so here.

Alternatively call Bassetlaw District Council on 01909 533252.

The deadline to register to vote is midnight on Monday, April 19.

Brendan Clarke-Smith is MP for Bassetlaw. To contact him, call 01909 738956 or email [email protected]. For news from Mr Clarke-Smith, visit his website here or follow him on Facebook at @Brendan4Bassetlaw or on Twitter at @Bren4Bassetlaw.