Wiltshire and Hampshire residents head to the polls - don't forget your pencil!
Reassurance polling stations will be Covid safe to cast your vote
Last updated 6th May 2021
May 6th has been dubbed 'Super Thursday' due to number of contests across the country.
In Wiltshire and Hampshire people will be casting their votes in a number of local elections.
Depending on where you live you'll be choosing who you want to represent you at Wiltshire Council or Hampshire County Council.
The elections are held every four years and there are 98 seats up for grabs in Wiltshire's unitary authority and 78 in Hampshire.
Meanwhile there are also town and parish elections including Salisbury City Council.
Salisbury residents will elect 24 Councillors to represent eight wards within the city over a 4-year term.
The City Council is the Parish Council for Salisbury and is the most local level of governement.
- Bemerton Heath Ward - 3 seats
- Fisherton & Bemerton Village Ward - 3 seats
- Harnham East Ward- 3 seats
- Harnham West Ward - 3 seats
- Milford Ward - 3 seats
- St Edmund`s Ward- 3 seats
- St Francis & Stratford Ward- 3 seats
- Salisbury St Paul`s Ward - 3 seats
POLICE AND CRIME COMMISSIONER
Voters will also decide who they want to take up the role of Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire as will residents in Hampshire.
The contest was due to take place last year but was delayed due to the pandemic.
NUMBER OF PEOPLE REGISTERED TO VOTE
In Wiltshire 381,454 people have registered to cast their vote, of those 70,733 (18.5%) have registered to vote by post.
Council chief executive and returning officer Terence Herbert said:
"The results of the unitary, town and parish, and Police and Crime Commissioner elections will have an impact on people's day to day lives so it's important everyone registered exercises their democratiic rights."
POLLING STATIONS
Polling stations will be open 7am to 10pm, there are 348 of them in Wiltshire!
Extra measures are being brought in to make them Covid-secure including one way systems and hand sanitiser on site.
People will need to wear a mask unless they are medically exempt and are being encouraged to bring their own pen or pencil to cast their vote!
You should also be prepared to queue.
Hampshire's returning officer John Coughlan says you'll be able to cast your vote safely
"Polling stations will be safe places, and we have been working closely with Government, members of the electoral community and our Public Health teams which will ensure the latest official guidance is followed and "COVID-safe measures will be in place."
"Voters casting their ballot in person can also keep themselves and others safe by wearing a face covering, bringing their own pen or pencil, cleaning their hands when entering and leaving the polling station and keeping a safe distance. "
You don't need your poll card to vote, but it does help speed things along in the polling station.
WHAT IF I BECOME UNWELL WITH COVID OR HAVE TO SELF ISOLATE ON POLLING DAY?
If you are self-isolating or become unwell as a result of COVID-19 shortly before polling day, or on the day of polling itself, you can also obtain an emergency proxy vote.
You'll need to speak to your local electoral registration team who will tell you what you need to do to arrange this.
It's important you do not go out to vote if you have symptoms of COVID-19, or if you have been asked to self-isolate.
DOGS AT POLLING STATIONS
Posting photos of dogs at polling stations has become popular on social media in recent years with the hashtag #dogsatpollingstations
If you're taking part remember you can only take a picture outside the the polling station.
WHEN WILL WE GET THE RESULTS?
Unlike other years there will be no overnight count with the counts spread out over a number of days.
Counting of votes for Wiltshire Council will take place at three locations across the county including Five Rivers Health and Wellbeing Centre in Salisbury.
We're being told to expect a result early on Saturday evening (8th May) with the results for Hampshire County Council expected on Friday (7th May).
In Wiltshire counts for the parish and town council votes including Salisbury City Council will take place on the Sunday (9th May).
Meanwhile we will find out who both Wiltshire and Hampshire's new Police and Crime Commissioner are on Monday (10th May).