Elections in May 2021 – Getting Ready To Vote

December 3, 2020

Susan Crown, Head of Campaigns and Corporate Identity at The Electoral Commission has some important messages for the Winter Night Shelter Network and for the rough sleepers & people experiencing homelessness that we support. Read her message below:

Planning ahead for the future has often felt impossible this year, and so thinking about May 2021 seems like a big ask. Why would I want you to do that? It’s because on 6 May 2021 there are going to be elections in England, Scotland and Wales. Being homeless can present real challenges to being registered to vote and to knowing what elections are happening and where. That’s why we, at the Electoral Commission, are asking everyone to think now about how you would like to vote in May 2021.

A lot of people don’t know that you can register to vote using a place you spend time at – like a shelter or a refuge. You can also register to vote anonymously, so no one can find out your address. You can find more here about registering with no fixed address or registering anonymously.

We are preparing for these elections by asking people to think about whether they want to attend a polling station in person. Some people might feel worried about doing that, and the situation around COVID-19 can’t be known that far into the future. Therefore, you can choose to have a postal vote, or ask someone to vote for you (called a proxy vote). Polling stations will be safe places to vote, but if you would prefer not to attend in person then you do have other options, and if you can think about them early then you know you will have time to cast your vote. There is more information here.

We have produced these online and printable materials to help you in your work with people who would benefit from knowing more about this process and what to do.

So, #GetReadyToVote and have your voice heard.

What elections are happening in May 2021?

  • Local council elections in England
  • Local and Combined Authority Mayoral elections
  • Mayor of London and London Assembly elections
  • Police and Crime Commissioner elections in England and Wales
  • Senedd Cymru/Welsh Parliamentary election
  • Scottish Parliamentary election

 

Remember: you must be registered to vote before you can choose a postal or proxy vote.