Cornwall Council is recruiting poll clerks and count staff to work during the May 2021 elections.

On May 6 elections are taking place for Cornwall Council, local town and parish councils and the Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner.

The council is recruiting poll clerks, who help run polling stations, and count staff, who count up all the ballots.

Poll clerks earn £175 for the day and count staff are paid £10 an hour in the daytime and £15 an hour at night.

All staff members will be given online training and will be provided personal protective equipment (PPE).

Kate Kennally, Chief Executive of Cornwall Council and Returning Officer for Cornwall, said: “We have undertaken risk assessments at each and every polling station and have worked closely with our Public Health colleagues to ensure the necessary measures are in place to keep both staff and voters safe.

“To ensure that the residents of Cornwall can execute their democratic right safely during these unprecedented times we are recruiting additional staff for these elections and urge anyone who is interested in the role to apply now.”

Residents will be familiar with many of the measures that will be in place on polling day.

One-way systems will be implemented at all polling stations and queues will be managed to ensure social distancing is maintained.

Hand sanitiser will be available at each station and polling booths will be cleaned after each vote is cast. Voters will also be asked to wear face coverings and where possible bring their own pen.

Applicants must be 18 or over and can apply on the Cornwall Council website.https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/jobs-and-careers/elections-staff-2021/

If you have worked at a previous election in Cornwall, you would have been sent an email asking you to sign up to the council’s new elections management portal. You may need to check your junk folder if you have not received this. You must register on the portal if you would like to work in future elections, including those in May.

Remember you must be registered on the electoral roll if you would like to vote in the elections. You can register to vote here.https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

If you would like to find out more about the different voting methods available, such as voting by post or by proxy, see on the Cornwall Council website.https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/elections/different-ways-to-vote/postal-voting/