Council reminds East Riding residents there is no election
The county's polls run on a different cycle to neighbouring authorities
East Riding Council has said local elections in the area are not taking place until next year after getting large number of calls asking for polling cards.
LDRS understands East Riding Council has received an unprecedented number of calls from locals, largely on the borders with North Yorkshire and Hull.
The spokesperson said: “Following a number of calls from residents in the East Riding enquiring about poll cards, the council would like to remind residents that there are no local and ward elections.”
It comes as voters in Hull and North Yorkshire are set to go to the polls tomorrow (Thursday, May 5) for this year’s local elections.
But no elections are being held in the East Riding this year because its polls run on a different cycle to neighbouring authorities.
Elections for East Riding councillors are held in one go once every four years, with the next one due on Thursday, May 4 2023.
The only exceptions are by elections to fill vacant council seats.
Liberal Democrat Margaret Corless took South Hunsley, considered a Conservative stronghold, for the opposition group in the most recent East Riding by election in April.
The next by election is set to be held in Bridlington North to fill the seat left vacant after the death of Cllr Chad Chadwick, also in April.
The date for the by election is yet to be confirmed.
Conservatives currently control East Riding Council with 45 councillors, with 10 members making up the Liberal Democrat opposition.
There is also a seven-strong Independent Group, two unaligned independent members, two councillors for the Yorkshire Party and the vacant Bridlington North seat, making a total of 67.
All East Riding voters last went to the polls in May 2021 for the Humberside Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) elections.
The vote saw then Labour incumbent Keith Hunter defeated by the current Conservative PCC Jonathan Evison, with Liberal Democrat Bob Morgan coming third.
Meanwhile, voters in 19 of Hull’s 21 wards are casting their ballots for candidates vying for the third of council seats up for grabs this year.
One third of Hull councillors are elected every year, with the last election leaving the ruling Labour group with 30, to the Liberal Democrat opposition’s 26.
The Liberal Democrat total remains 26 despite the defection because of the departure of Cllr Ryan Langley who now sits as an independent.
The Conservatives lost one seat, leaving Cllr John Fareham as the party’s sole councillor.
The defection of Labour Longhill and Bilton Grange’s Cllr Julia Connor to the Liberal Democrats leaves the ruling group going into tomorrow’s elections with a working majority of one.
North Yorkshire voters, excluding those in York, are electing councillors for a new county-wide unitary authority made up of 90 members and 89 electoral divisions tomorrow.
A recent shake up is set to see the existing North Yorkshire County Council and seven district and borough authorities abolished.
Voters will elect councillors who will serve for a year on their existing authorities before their abolition next year.
They will then go onto North Yorkshire Council and serve the remaining four years of their five-year terms.
The Conservatives currently have a majority on North Yorkshire County Council.
No elections are taking place in York this year, with the next ones due in May 2023.
The city’s council is currently run by a Liberal Democrat and Green coalition.