Postal votes in Hertsmere delayed after Covid case at printing centre

Some voters in Hertsmere are yet to receive their postal vote ahead of the May 6 elections after the printing centre was forced to temporarily close on Monday.

Hertsmere Borough Council says it is aware of a "small number" of postal vote applications affected.

The council says the postal votes have been sent out to residents in two batches - and it is some residents who are part of the second batch affected.

Around 600 postal vote applications were received between April 1 and 20, and this counts as the second batch.

The council says the majority of the postal vote application packs sent out as part of this second batch were posted out as normal, however a small number have been delayed - a spokesperson could not give an exact number of people affected by the delay.

The printing centre reopened on Tuesday afternoon and all postal vote packs have now been printed and are in the post to residents.

Hertsmere Borough Council offices in Borehamwood

A council spokesperson said: "We were made aware on Wednesday (April 28) of an issue at our printers which resulted in a delay in sending a small number of postal vote packs. We would like to reassure residents that have applied to vote by post that postal vote packs are now in the post and will be with residents as soon as possible.

"Any resident who has not received their postal vote pack over the weekend or has any concerns are encouraged to please contact our elections team at elections@hertsmere.gov.uk or call 020 8207 7481.

"Officers are able to re-issue packs until 5pm on Thursday 6 May to ensure everyone who has applied to vote by post is able to do so.

"If residents have concerns about their postal vote being returned in time, they can be delivered to any polling station in the borough or handed in at the Civic Offices until 10pm on polling day.

"We also arrange a Royal Mail sweep, which is a check of their distribution centres, on the evening of the election to ensure that all postal votes received by Royal Mail up to 10pm on election day are delivered to us to be counted."

The delay came to light after one of the residents affected contacted the council to ask why they had not yet received their postal vote.

More than 13,000 postal votes were posted to residents in Hertsmere during the first batch of postal votes.

See more: Full list of Hertsmere-based candidates in 2021 elections

Hertsmere Civic Offices in Borehamwood

Voters across Hertsmere are electing their new county councillor as well as Hertfordshire's police and crime commissioner. Those living in the Borehamwood Kenilworth and Bushey North wards are also electing a new borough councillor, while voters in Shenley and Aldenham West are electing new parish councillors.

Seats are also to be filled at South Mimms Parish Council, while residents in Radlett and Shenley will also be voting on their respective neighbourhood plans.

The elections itself take place on May 6 - the council is warning residents not to come to polling stations if they are self-isolating or develop coronavirus symptoms on polling day.

Individuals who need to self-isolate because of coronavirus will still be able to vote in the local elections through new emergency proxy voting measures - find out more here.

Votes in Hertsmere will be counted on Saturday after the council took advice from Hertfordshire County Council to keep ballot boxes closed for 24 hours after the polls close to reduce the risk of spreading coronavirus.

See more: When to expect election results to be announced in Hertfordshire