On Thursday May 6th residents in Wirral will go to the polls to have their say on who represents them at local council elections, the Liverpool City Region mayoral election as well as Merseyside's Police and Crime Commissioner.

Voters have a range of options for casting their ballot – in person, by post or by appointing someone they trust to vote in their place, known as a proxy vote. There are three fast-approaching deadlines that all voters need to be aware of.

1. Register to vote deadline: 11.59pm on Monday 19 April

People who have recently moved house, changed their name or never registered to vote before must register online by 11.59pm this Monday 19 April.

2. Postal vote application deadline: 5pm on Tuesday 20 April

Postal voting is a safe, simple and convenient alternative to voting in person on election day. Registered voters must apply for a postal vote by downloading an application form and their completed form must be returned by 5pm on Tuesday 20 April.

If there isn't time to post it back before the deadline, Wirral voters can email a scanned copy of their completed form to [email protected].

3. Proxy vote application deadline: 5pm on Tuesday 27 April

Voters who are unable to vote in person can ask someone to vote on their behalf. This is known as a proxy vote. Proxy votes are only available in certain circumstances and voters must apply for a proxy vote by downloading an application form. Completed forms must be returned by 5pm on Tuesday 27 April by post or by emailing a scanned copy of their completed form to [email protected].

Voting in person on Thursday 6 May

For those who choose to vote in person, polling stations will be safe places to vote on 6 May. Voters are encouraged to keep themselves and others safe by:

- Wearing a face covering

- Bringing their own pen or pencil

- Cleaning their hands when entering and leaving the polling station

- Keeping a safe distance

Voters should not attend the polling station if they have symptoms of COVID-19, or if they have been asked to self-isolate. There will be provisions in place to apply for an emergency proxy vote if required due to health circumstances.