Southampton elections: What to expect when you go to vote

Today, tens of thousands of people across Southampton and the rest of Hampshire will be heading to the polls to vote for who they want to represent them on their local councils.

But, some of you might be worried or nervous about going down, especially mixing near other people with the Covid virus still very much around.

So, we wanted to give you a taste of what to expect from someone who has already voted this morning: Me!

The Echo's Audience and Content Editor Will Rimell

WHAT TO EXPECT

Walking down to my local polling station this morning, I was expecting a long line of socially-distanced voters, and a good wait at that. In recent years, especially in the mornings before the start of the working day, queues have tended to form outside.

But this was not the case this morning. 

Walking in I was greeted by a masked volunteer who asked me to sanitize my hands before entering. I then walked up to a further two masked volunteers, who took my name and address to make sure I was in the right place - luckily I was.

I was then given my voting slips, and went over to the voting area, which was a single, partitioned booth.

I saw another voter come in as I was moving towards to booth, but they were asked to wait while I voted, which made me feel safe and worry-free about getting too close to other people in an indoor setting.

I then took out my own pen and voted. Put the ballot cards in the secured box, and was then directed out of a different door to the one I entered through.

It was an easy experience, and I felt safe and distanced from anyone else.

• The polls are open until 10pm this evening.