Local Government Elections on May 6:
The next scheduled elections in Salford will be the Local Government elections, Salford City Mayor election and Greater Manchester Mayor election, taking place on 6 May 2021.
These are the elections that have been postponed from May 2020.
The Local Government elections for Salford will be ‘all out’ elections where all 60 councillor seats will be up for election; as well as the election for the City Mayor, and Greater Manchester Mayor.
Covid-19 and postal voting:
Councils will be working very hard to make sure that these elections are done safely, and there are expected to be some changes to the ways they are normally run.
The council in Salford is encouraging people who would prefer, to register for a postal vote.
“However, should you have any concerns about voting in person, please be aware that you can set up a postal vote to receive your ballot papers via the postal service, instead of attending a polling station.”
Anyone who is registered to vote can apply to vote by post.
You can apply for a postal vote for one election, a set period of time or permanently (for a permanent postal vote you must refresh your signature every five years – the council should contact you when it is time to do this.)
How to set up postal voting:
To request a postal vote follow the link: https://www.salford.gov.uk/your-council/elections-and-voting/elections/future-elections/local-salford-city-mayor-and-gm-mayor-elections-6-may-2021/ and complete your information including name, address, date of birth and your signature where prompted, and return to the council.
The deadline to apply for a postal vote for the elections on 6 May 2021 is 5pm on Tuesday 20 April.
How to return your form:
You can either email a scanned image of the form or a clear photograph, showing the full page, to elections@salford.gov.uk, or post to the council’s elections Freepost address:
Freepost RSGE-LEUB-CLSS
Electoral Registration Officer
Salford Civic Centre
Chorley Road
Swinton
Salford
M27 5DA
(There are public scanning stations at Salford’s Gateway centres or Broughton Hub.)
Paper version:
If you require a paper copy of a postal vote application posting out to you, email elections@salford.gov.uk with your name and address, confirming that you would like them to post one out to you.
Alternatively, you can call the council’s contact centre on 0161 793 2500 to ask them to arrange an application form to be posted out to you.
Registering to vote:
The deadline to register to vote in the elections on 6 May 2021 is midnight on Monday 19 April.
Adding someone’s name to the household form is just the first stage in them registering to vote. This is the form that is usually sent out in July.
You must also either register to vote online or complete an Invitation to Register form which the council will send you after the canvass if they have not already registered online.
You can also use the online registration service to update your own name, address, or other details.
You will need your National Insurance number and date of birth. Your National Insurance number can be found on your National Insurance card or letter or on official paperwork such as payslips or letters about tax or benefits. If you cannot find your National Insurance number, you will need to arrange to have it sent to you by the government.
If you haven’t been given a National Insurance number, you will need to provide a reason when applying. We will then contact you to provide further evidence as to your identity.
The Government’s online registration service:
You can use this service to:
- get on the electoral register so you can vote in elections or referendums.
- update your name, address, or nationality by registering again with your new details.
- get on or off the open register.
Who can register:
You must be aged 16 or over.
You must also be one of the following:
- a British citizen
- an Irish or EU citizen living in the UK.
- a Commonwealth citizen who has permission to enter or stay in the UK, or who does not need permission.
You can vote when you’re 18 or over.
You only need to register once – not for every election.
Register online:
It usually takes about 5 minutes. Just go to: https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote
What you need to know:
You’ll be asked for your National Insurance number (but you can still register if you do not have one).
After you’ve registered, your name and address will appear on the electoral register.
There’s a different process to register anonymously, for example if you’re concerned about your safety or the safety of someone in your household.
Check if you’re already registered.
Contact your local Electoral Registration Office to find out if you’re already registered to vote.
Updating your registration
You can also use the ‘Register to vote’ service to:
- change your name, address, or nationality.
- get on or off the open register.
To do this, you need to register again with your new details (even if you’re already registered to vote).
If you live abroad:
You can use this service to register to vote (or to renew or update your registration) if you both:
- are a British citizen.
- were registered to vote within the last 15 years (or, in some cases, if you were too young to register when you were in the UK)
(You may need your passport details.)
If you’re a public servant posted overseas:
There’s a different service for public servants (and their spouses and civil partners) who are posted overseas as:
- Crown servants or British council employees
- members of the armed forces
Get help registering:
There’s an easy read guide about registering to vote.
If you have any queries or need any further information, please call the council’s helpline on 0161 793 2500.
Tom Togher
February 2021