Why not apply for a postal vote this year?
This past year it has felt as though the only certain thing in our lives is uncertainty. The vaccines offer welcome light on the horizon but will take time to protect us all.
As things are starting to be unlocked nobody is quite certain what will happen. I would like to suggest one extra precaution you can take now to safeguard yourself and your family.
A busy polling station is one situation you can avoid, and the prospect of socially distanced queues outdoors is a daunting one, especially if the weather is bad. Illness, bad weather and busy lives can get in the way at the best of times.
I have been standing up for Shaw interests for more than 30 years now – defending our green spaces and our so called bus services, fighting for a health centre, tackling speeding, fighting crime and ASB, campaigning for improvements to our pavements and highways – all the while keeping you in touch, all year every year, via our Focus newsletters.
But whether you support me or not on May 6, your vote is precious. I would not like to see you lose it.
Many of you have told me that you like the ceremony of voting in person – I know I do. Or, you mistrust postal voting, and I understand that. But changes in recent years have made postal voting at least as secure as the polling station.
To register for a postal vote please download and complete an application to vote by post:
- Application to vote by post – gov.uk website
Once completed this form should be returned to the elections team
- By email: election@oldham.gov.uk
- By post: Elections Office, Oldham Council, West Street, Oldham, OL1 1UL
The deadline to register for a postal vote is 5pm on 20 April 2021
Meanwhile, whatever you decide to do and whoever you decide to vote for, please take care and stay safe.
Best wishes
Howard Sykes