Efforts being made to ensure South Kesteven polling stations are Covid-safe to use during pandemic

The message from organisers to voters is that polling stations are Covid-secure and everyone is encouraged to visit and cast their vote on Thursday May 6.

There will be staged entry to the polling stations, with staff cleaning booths regularly. Hand sanitiser will be offered on arrival and exit, voters will be asked to wear face coverings unless exempt and social distancing will be in place. Voters are also encouraged to take their own pen or pencil to vote, although new, unused pencils will be available too.

South Kesteven District Council will be administering the polling stations locally for Sleaford area communities such as Ancaster, Billingborough, Caythorpe and Folkingham. Chief Executive Karen Bradford said: “We will have all of our 108 polling stations ready for the public on May 6 and these will be Covid-secure for voters.

“People will notice a few changes to the normal process and all we ask is that everyone follows the instructions when they come to vote – and are patient if they have to wait a few minutes due to any COVID restrictions in place, which are for everyone’s safety.

“A number of our polling station locations have changed for this year and voters should check their polling card or look online to make sure they know where to cast their vote this year.”

Voters can enter their postcode at https://democracyclub.org.uk/projects/election-widget to confirm their polling station location and see the list of candidates for their area.

No one needs to take their poll card to the polling station to be able to vote, and staff will not handle it, so it should be taken away again afterwards.

Almost 20,000 people in South Kesteven are registered for a postal vote and SKDC’s Elections team is urging everyone to return their vote in good time. It must be with the council by 10pm on polling day to be counted. Some postal voters may receive several packs if there is more than one election in their area; be sure to return them all.

Those unable to post their vote pack in time can take it to their polling station on polling day.