Milton Keynes Council will be sending postal voting application forms to all households starting from next week (15/2) ahead of May's local election.
This means that those who are concerned about visiting polling stations during the pandemic will be able to apply for a postal vote.
Residents will be able to vote by post, in person, or by proxy during the elections, which are scheduled for 6th May 2021.
They were previously postponed in 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak but it has been confirmed that they will go ahead this year.
Individuals who are registered will be able to vote for Police and Crime Commissioner and Borough Councillors. In some areas, there will also be Parish Elections and Neighbourhood Plan Referendum(s).
Milton Keynes Council says the local authority is putting arrangements in place "to help ensure polling stations are safe places to vote". These measures will include social distancing, hand sanitiser, and face coverings.
There has been speculation as to whether voters will have to bring their own pen or pencil, and the Council has said people are "always welcome to" but has not said it is compulsory.
Those who wish to apply to vote via post can do so by filling out the forms that will soon be sent out. These forms can be sent back to the Council via freepost, or can be scanned and emailed to postal.votes@milton-keynes.gov.uk.
And those who wish to appoint a proxy to vote on their behalf will also need to make sure the proxy is registered to vote and will need to go to your designated polling station or apply for a postal vote in their own right.
Milton Keynes Council says it is a "good idea" to apply now so everything can be checked in good time. You can download the application form here.
