On Thursday 6 May, 2021, Mendip residents will go to the polls to have their say on who represents them at various elections: the postponed Police Crime Commissioner Election, County Council Elections and various City/Parish/Town Council elections.

While the elections are not until May, your Council is already making plans to help you stay safe while casting your vote.

As usual, there are a number of ways to make your voice heard at the elections in May. You can vote in a polling station, by post, or by appointing someone you trust to vote on your behalf (otherwise known as a 'proxy vote').

Stuart Brown, Electoral Registration Officer and Chief Executive at Mendip District Council, said: "The elections next year 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 Mendip.

"We're thinking about these elections now so that, 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 and banks over recent months, such as hand sanitiser, floor markings and face masks.

"Of course you also have the option to apply to vote by post, or by proxy. It is never too early to apply."

Find out more information by contacting us on 01749 341479 or by visiting Mendip's website www.mendip.gov.uk/electoralservices

Do bookmark the Mendip electoral web pages and return to them regularly, as they will be packed with useful information between now and May, including information about how and when to vote, plus those all-important results.

You can also visit the Electoral Commission website here: www.electoralcommission.org.uk/voter

You need to be registered to vote in order to have a say at the elections – the easiest way to register is online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

Notes to editors

Locally, in addition to the Somerset County Council election, there will be an election at:

CITY COUNCIL: Wells City Council (St Thomas' Ward)

TOWN COUNCIL: Glastonbury Town Council (St Benedict's Ward) and Shepton Town Council (West Ward)

ELECTORAL COMMISSION

The Electoral Commission is the independent body which oversees elections and regulates political finance in the UK. They work to promote public confidence in the democratic process and ensure its integrity by:

enabling the delivery of free and fair elections and referendums, focusing on the needs of electors and addressing the changing environment to ensure every vote remains secure and accessible

regulating political finance – taking proactive steps to increase transparency, ensure compliance and pursue breaches

using our expertise to make and advocate for changes to our democracy, aiming to improve fairness, transparency and efficiency

For further information on elections in their area, how to register to vote, or how to apply to vote by post or by proxy, voters can visit www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter. This page will continue to be updated ahead of the polls.

The Commission was set up in 2000 and reports to the UK, Scottish and Welsh Parliaments.