London,
21
April
2021
|
10:00
Europe/London

London Mayor and Assembly elections: Voting FAQs

Registration has now closed for the London Mayor and Assembly elections.

To help you prepare for polling day on Thursday 6 May, we’ve compiled these voting tips to answer any questions you might have.

Covid-19 changes

We have made some changes to our 84 polling stations so that they are safe places to vote.

Like visiting your local shops, you will be asked to:

  • Wear a face covering, unless you are exempt
  • Use hand sanitiser, available at polling station entrances and exits
  • Maintain social distancing

You may also choose to:

  • Bring your own pencil or pen to mark your ballot. Pencils will still be available at our polling stations, which will be cleaned after each use.
  • Avoid busier times when there may be queues. Some polling stations may have queues at peak times – between 7.30am and 9.30am and between 5pm and 8pm. Please visit outside of peak times if you are working from home and/or are able to.

At polling stations, you can expect many of the measures you’ve become used to in shops over recent months such as hand sanitiser, floor markings, face masks, Perspex glass and limited numbers inside.

Facemasks and face shields will be available at all polling stations.

Proxy voting

If you’re going to be away from home or are unable to make it to a polling station because of work, a nominated person can vote on your behalf. This is called proxy voting.

You can apply for a proxy vote until 5pm on Tuesday 27 April, read more at camden.gov.uk/voting-by-proxy. 

Emergency proxy votes

There may be certain circumstances where you must attend to an emergency on polling day and cannot vote in person. Under these circumstances an emergency proxy vote may be available to you.

Please contact [email protected] or call 020 7974 4444 before 5pm on polling day.

Postal voting

We are now in the process of sending postal votes to those who have applied for them. Postal votes will only be counted if they are returned before 10pm on Thursday 6 May, so it is important that you return them to us as soon as possible.

Royal Mail have priority postboxes available throughout Camden with extra collections times, including at weekends. To find your nearest priority postbox go to RoyalMail.com/services-near-you.

If you are concerned that your postal vote might not arrive on time, you can hand it in in person at the Crowndale Centre.

Lost or spoiled postal votes

If you have lost or damaged your postal vote, a replacement can be issued until 5pm on Thursday 6 May. Please get in touch with our Electoral Services via [email protected] or call 020 7974 4444.

Polling station opening times

Polls open between 7am and 10pm on Thursday 6 May. As long as you are in the polling station queue by 10pm you will still be allowed to vote.

You can find directions to your nearest polling station on the back of your polling card. If you do not have your polling card, you can find your polling station online at wheredoivote.co.uk

Lost polling card

You do not need your polling card to vote on Thursday 6 May. As long as you registered to vote before Monday 19 April, your name will be on the electoral register. Simply arrive at your local polling station and let the staff know your name and address.

Who’s standing in your area?

There are three separate elections taking place:

  • The Mayor, for which voters have a first and second choice vote
  • Greater London Assembly London wide members (11 Members)
  • Greater London Assembly Constituency Members (14 members). Barnet and Camden form one constituency and will elect a constituency member.

The full list of candidates can be found at londonelects.org.uk/im-voter/candidates.

This year's vote count will take place over 2 days to ensure social distancing measures can be in place.

Ballot Papers

There will be three ballot papers:

  • The Mayoral ballot paper will be PINK
  • The Constituency Member ballot paper YELLOW
  • The London Member ballot paper ORANGE.

Voters will be asked not to fold the ballot papers when they put them in the ballot box. This is to assist with the scanning of votes for the electronic count.

Accessibility in our polling stations

All polling stations in Camden have disabled access. However, if you require extra help, there are staff at all of our polling stations who are ready to assist you.

This could be help accessing the polling station or the use of specially designed tools to help you cast your vote. Alternatively, you can choose a companion to come along to the polling station with you to help you cast your vote. The presiding officer at the station will be able to help you with this on polling day.

Dogs in polling stations

Dogs are allowed into many of our polling stations. However, it is at the building owner’s discretion. If there is clear signage in place that states dogs are not allowed, then we ask that you respect these wishes. Guide and assistance dogs are exempt from these rules and are allowed into all polling stations.

Photo policy

We ask that you refrain from taking photos inside polling stations, this is to ensure that you don’t break strict laws around the secrecy of the ballot. However, you are welcome to take photos outside our polling stations if you’re excited to share them with friends and family over social media.