Election Day in Berkshire and North Hampshire

Thursday sees voting taking place in Berkshire and North Hampshire not only for councils but also for the Police and Crime commissioner roles in Thames Valley and Hampshire Police areas.

The Police and Crime Commissioner elections are taking place in every local council area in Berkshire and north Hampshire.

Not all local councils have full elections taking place - below we explain what's happening and where:

Berkshire:

Bracknell Forest - no borough council elections but a referendum is taking place in Crowthorne Parish on the neighbourhood plan.

Details: https://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/elections-and-voting/current-elections

Wokingham - 18 Borough wards up for re-election. Results are expected on Friday afternoon.

Details: https://www.wokingham.gov.uk/council-and-meetings/elections-and-voting/pcc-borough-and-parish-elections-2021/

Reading - 17 Borough seats are up for re-election. Results are expected on Friday afternoon.

Details: https://www.reading.gov.uk/council/democracy/elections-and-voting/2021-local-borough-elections-and-police-and-crime-commissioner-elections/

West Berkshire - no main council election

Details: https://info.westberks.gov.uk/WestBerkshireElections

Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead - no Borough seats but there'll be a referendum on the adoption of the Windsor Neighbourhood Plan.

Details: https://www.rbwm.gov.uk/home/council-and-democracy/elections-and-voting/elections-and-referendums-2021

North Hampshire:

Basingstoke & Deane - the entire council is up for re-election - that's 54 seats. Results are due on Sunday afternoon.

Details: https://www.basingstoke.gov.uk/elections

Test Valley - apart from three by-elections there are no Borough-wide elections

Details: https://www.testvalley.gov.uk/aboutyourcouncil/localdemocracy/elections

Hampshire County Council - County-wide elections taking place with all 76 divisions being decided. 10 divisions in Basingstoke, and 7 in Test Valley to vote for. Results are expected Friday afternoon.

Details: https://www.hants.gov.uk/aboutthecouncil/electionsandvoting

How do I vote on the day and what should I bring?

If you’re registered on the electoral register, you should’ve been sent a polling card a few weeks before the election.

This tells you when the election is taking place and your allocated polling station. You cannot vote if your name does not appear in the electoral register.

Polling stations are open from 7am to 10pm and you will be asked to confirm your name and address, or you can hand over your polling card.

Once that’s out of the way, you will be given a ballot paper where you will mark an X next to the candidate you wish to vote for at a polling booth.

Electors voting person are encouraged to keep themselves and everyone else safe by:

Wearing face masks

Washing or sanitising hands before entering and leaving the polling station

Bring their own pens and pencils

Keep a two-metre distance from one another

I have developed coronavirus symptoms or need to self-isolate, but I still want to vote. What can I do?

If you have developed symptoms or need to self-isolate, you should not turn up at any polling station.

However, you can apply for an emergency proxy vote, which means you appoint someone on your behalf to vote for you.

You have until 5pm on May 6 to apply for one.

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• local elections
• berkshire
• north hampshire