Voters in May’s local elections will be advised to bring their own pen or pencil as a measure designed to stop polling day from spreading Covid-19.
The move is one of the practical steps being planned to ensure that a huge set of elections this spring can go ahead safely. While current rules allow the public to bring writing implements to the polling station, the right will be publicised to reduce the risks of passing on the virus.
It comes as election administrators warned it is already too late to switch to an all-postal vote system should coronavirus still be a major issue on election day. Some councils are already struggling to confirm the use of regular election venues, and other buildings do not lend themselves to social distancing measures.
As a result of last year’s postponements, this year will see elections for local councils, 13 directly elected mayors and 40 police and crime commissioners in England and Wales. Elections will also be held for London mayor and assembly, as well as the Welsh and Scottish parliaments.
There have been concerns in some councils that they will struggle to run the elections as they are already swamped with Covid-19 demands. And although elections are set to go ahead as planned, Boris Johnson has said he is keeping the date under review.
Measures such as switching to postal votes or extending the time in which ballots can be cast are regarded as logistically impossible in England.However, election officials are looking at simple measures to reduce transmission, including a publicity campaign asking that voters bring their own implement to make their mark.
“Voters can bring their own pen or pencil to vote,” said Craig Westwood, the Electoral Commission’s director of communications, policy and research. “While you can do that in any election, it’s another measure to help keep safe. Voters will be hearing these messages from us, and others, in the weeks leading up to the polls.
“We are focusing a lot more on the voting options that people will have, including postal and proxy voting, and making sure that polling stations are safe places to vote. We’re comfortable that local authorities can make them safe, with support from voters in following the advice they’re given. This will all be similar to what we’re already experiencing in our daily lives, in terms of social distancing, hand sanitiser and masks.”
