Vote early if you're planning to post your vote on May 6th.

On Thursday, May 6, residents across Greater Manchester will have their say on who represents them in the Greater Manchester Mayoral and council local elections

With elections taking place across Great Britain on 6 May, Royal Mail and the Electoral Commission are encouraging those voting by post not to delay in sending back their packs once they have made their decision. 

While voters can post their votes until a latest recommended posting date of May 4, postal voters are being reminded to post their votes as early as they can.

The ongoing impact of the pandemic means that postal voting is likely to be a popular choice for many voters.

Postal voters will be able to make use of Royal Mail’s extensive post box network when they are returning their completed ballot paper, including 35,000 priority postboxes designed to aid the Government’s coronavirus testing programme. 

Voters should post their ballot paper by a latest recommended posting date of 4 May to ensure they can be counted.

Postal votes can also be handed into polling stations and local authorities up until 10pm on 6 May. 

Royal Mail is due to run a special postmark on stamped mail as a further reminder to post early on April 23, 24 and 25 as well as on May 3 and May 4.

David Gold, Director of External Affairs & Policy, Royal Mail said: “Given the ongoing impact of the pandemic, we recognise the vital role postal votes have to play in the upcoming May 6 elections. 

"Do look out for your ballot pack – with its distinctive purple flash – and post as early as you can to make sure your vote is safely counted.”

Craig Westwood, Director of Communications, Policy and Research, at the Electoral Commission said: “Absent voting is likely to play an important role in the May elections given the public health situation.

"Postal ballots are now being sent out to people that have applied for one. We are encouraging those that have already decided how they will vote, not to wait until the deadline and to complete and return their postal pack as soon as they are ready.”

For more information visit: https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/voting-person-post-or-proxy/voting-post  

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