VOTING for the Slough local elections 2021 is set to take place tomorrow. So, you’re probably wondering where can I vote? And is it Covid-safe?

There are three elections taking place in Slough on May 6, one for the council, one for the Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner, and another for the Wexham Court Parish Council by-election.

For the borough election, electors will vote for candidates in one of 15 wards, except for Colnbrook with Poyle.

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One candidate will be elected in each ward and seven parish councillors will be voted in at Wexham Court Parish Council following six resignations and the tragic passing of Cllr Ken Wright last year.

Where can I vote?

Due to Covid-19, refurbishments, and to avoid temporary closure of schools, the council has made nine changes to the usual polling stations.

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These include:

  • Britwell and Northborough: Britwell Hub has moved to Britwell Community Centre
  • Chalvey: Brook House has moved to Chalvey Community Centre
  • Chalvey: Claycotts Academy has moved to the Slough Ice Arena
  • Elliman: James Elliman Academy has moved to Arbour Park Stadium
  • Elliman: Littledown School Hall has moved to the Salvation Army Hall
  • Langley Kedermister: Holy Family School has moved to a portacabin in the Harvester car park
  • Langley St Mary’s: Langley Heritage Primary School Hall has moved to a portacabin in the school’s car park
  • Langley St Mary’s: Langley Leisure Centre has moved to a portacabin in the centre’s car park
  • Upton: St Bernard’s Catholic Grammar School has moved to a portacabin on open space on Middlegreen Road

Here is the list of polling stations in full:

How do I vote on the day and what should I bring?

If you’re registered on the electoral register, you should’ve been sent a polling card a few weeks before the election.

This tells you when the election is taking place and your allocated polling station. You cannot vote if your name does not appear in the electoral register.

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Polling stations are open from 7am to 10pm and you will be asked to confirm your name and address, or you can hand over your polling card.

Once that’s out of the way, you will be given a ballot paper where you will mark an X next to the candidate you wish to vote for at a polling booth.

Electors voting person are encouraged to keep themselves and everyone else safe by:

  • Wearing face masks
  • Washing or sanitising hands before entering and leaving the polling station
  • Bring their own pens and pencils
  • Keep a two-metre distance from one another

On the council website, they wrote: “Arrangements will be put in place to help ensure polling stations are Covid safe places to vote.

“You can expect many of the measures you’ve become used to over recent months in shops and banks, such as hand sanitiser, floor markings and face coverings.”

I have developed coronavirus symptoms or need to self-isolate, but I still want to vote. What can I do?

If you have developed symptoms or need to self-isolate, you should not turn up at any polling station.

However, you can apply for an emergency proxy vote, which means you appoint someone on your behalf to vote for you.

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You have until 5pm on May 6 to apply for one.

Email ballotbox@slough.gov.uk to arrange an emergency proxy vote.

Can I still vote by post?

Yes, but your postal vote must be returned by 10pm on election date or else your vote will not count.

You can hand in your postal vote at a polling station if you run out of time.