Local elections will go ahead in May, it has been confirmed - but voters will need to bring their own pencils.
The change is one of many under the new coronavirus safety rules.
The Cabinet Office confirmed that “Covid-secure” polls would be held as planned.
With all nine vaccine priority groups expected to have received the jab by the end of spring, the government says it can commit “with confidence” to the polls going ahead.
However, a number of changes will be made to ensure voting is conducted safely amid the ongoing pandemic.
Voters will have to wear face coverings inside polling stations and will be asked to bring their own pen or pencil to mark their ballot.
Proxy voting rules will also be changed to allow people who have to self-isolate to request an emergency proxy vote up to 5pm on polling day.
Election Day will be May 6 and a bumper set of votes will be taking place, including a number of contests postponed from last year.
The scale of the so-called 'Super Thursday' election day means that every eligible voter will be able to take part in at least one type of poll, making it the biggest event of its kind outside a general election.
There will be elections for the London mayor and assembly, as well as votes for a mixture of councillors, local mayors, regional mayors and police commissioners across the rest of England.
Cabinet Office minister Chloe Smith said: “We are publishing a detailed plan to deliver May’s elections in a safe and secure way.
“This is backed up by additional funding for councils, and practical changes to electoral laws to help both voters and candidates.
“Democracy should not be cancelled because of Covid. More than ever, local people need their say as we build back better, on issues ranging from local roads, to safer streets, to the level of council tax.
“As the Government rolls out the vaccine to the most vulnerable, we will be able to leave lockdown and open our country up safely again. We will work with political parties to ensure that these important elections are free and fair.”
An Electoral Commission spokesman said: “It is an important democratic principle that elections should proceed as scheduled whenever possible.
“The electoral community has been preparing for Covid-safe elections since last March, when the 2020 elections were postponed. Together, we have taken steps to help everyone involved take part safely and confidently.
“Safety measures, such as face coverings, hand sanitiser and social distancing, will be in place to make polling stations safe places to vote and to work, and we are sharing information with voters so they understand the voting options available to them.
“We are supporting administrators in their complex and important work to prepare for and deliver the polls, and we will continue to update our guidance for parties, campaigners and electoral administrators as needed in order to reflect the latest public health advice and any legislative changes.”
Voters in Scotland and Wales are also set to choose new parliaments, but a decision on whether those votes will go ahead is yet to be made.
