‘Local democracy is so important. Despite Covid, this is the chance to have your say’
MESSAGE: Matt Jukes
Hull’s local elections, and those for the Humberside Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), will take place under unique circumstances next month. City council Chief Executive Matt Jukes spoke to Rick Lyon about the Covid safety measures that will be in place, the logistical challenge, and why it’s so important for people to vote
They will be local elections unlike any that have gone before.
Voters in Hull will go to the polls on Thursday, May 6 to decide who represents them in their local ward area in the first elections since 2019, following last year’s postponement.
The Humberside Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) elections take place the same day.
The ongoing threat of Covid-19, despite lockdown restrictions easing and the success to date of the vaccination programme, means these elections will be very different to any others.
Measures will be taken in all 122 polling stations across the city to ensure they are “Covid secure”, including compulsory facemasks for staff and voters, other than for those who are exempt; social distancing markings; separation screens; only one voter allowed inside at a time; hand gel available on entry and exit; and disposable pencils for people who don’t bring their own.
Queue-busters will also ensure there are no large gatherings outside stations and all staff will be offered a test the day before polling.
Returning Officer Matt Jukes appreciates the public need to be reassured the elections will be run safely.
USUAL VENUE: The count normally takes place at the Guildhall
“Of course, and they will be,” he says when the issue is put to him.
“We want as many people to turn out and vote on May 6 as possible, but it’s obviously different this year because we’re still operating under Covid restrictions.
“We’re putting a huge amount of effort into planning all the arrangements, so that it’s absolutely as safe as possible.”
Along with the unprecedented safety measures in place across all polling stations, residents can also register to vote by post by Tuesday, April 20th, or by proxy, so someone can physically vote on their behalf, by Tuesday, April 27th.
Anyone displaying coronavirus symptoms should not venture out to a polling station but anyone who is self-isolating can apply for an emergency proxy vote up until 5pm on election day, via the Electoral Commission website.
Mr Jukes, Hull City Council’s Chief Executive, accepts the impact of Covid is likely to hit voter turnout, but with one seat in 19 out of Hull’s 21 wards up for election, and residents in all wards able to vote in the PCC election, he says it is more important than ever for people to cast their choice.
“It’s going to be different but this is still the opportunity for people to have their say on things that really matter. Local councillors make decisions on things that really affect people’s lives,” he says.
“The Government has decided elections will take place this year and democracy is very, very important.
“Our elected members set the priorities, deciding what is going to be important to us all and where we want to go as a city. It’s easy sometimes to underestimate how significant the impact some of these decisions are on people’s lives.
“Despite the challenges this year, voting is still something you can do on your way out for your daily exercise, or going to the shops. So, if you’re happy going to a shop, you’ll be absolutely fine going to vote.
“I completely understand that some of our more vulnerable residents may be reluctant to come out and vote, but they can do it without leaving the house.”
NEW VENUE: The count will take place at the Bonus Arena this year
Mr Jukes says the organisation of the 2021 local elections has been a “huge logistical challenge”, with much of the complexity centring around the count.
In normal circumstances, the count would take place at the Guildhall. Polling stations would close at 10pm and following verification, counting would take place through the night until around 5am or 6am the next morning.
This year, the count is taking place at the Bonus Arena to allow for the required social distancing between the 120 counters who will be in place at any given time.
The count will begin on the morning of Friday, May 7, and is expected to be complete by around 8pm that evening. The PCC count will then take place the next day.
“It’s very difficult running something that’s all about interaction in these circumstances,” says Mr Jukes. “The election itself is normally a very intense and often a very crowded and exciting event.
“This year it’s about doing it calmly and we’ll have different teams counting at different times. People will be in the building for no more than four hours at a time because, ultimately, everyone’s safety is of paramount importance.
“It will be a very different election in lots of ways, but certainly no less important.”
Poll cards were being issued to all registered electors from Monday, March 29. Anyone who needs to register to vote can do so by Monday, April 19 via www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.
Applications for postal voting can be made up to Tuesday, April 20, and for proxy voting up to Tuesday, April 27, via www.yourvotematters.co.uk.
Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm on Thursday, May 6, and more information about the local elections is available at www.hull.gov.uk/localelections.