Complete guide to elections 2021 in Cambridgeshire: Who can I vote for and what should I take to the polling station?
Cambridgeshire heads to the polls on Thursday, May 6 to vote in four elections after some were delayed last year due to the pandemic.
All seats on Cambridge City Council and Cambridgeshire County Council are up for election, and voters will choosing the next mayor of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority and the next police and crime commissioner.
Here’s an easy way to find out who you can vote for where you live.
We have published Q&As with parties and candidates for each of the elections - head over to our Politics page to find them all, or follow the links below.
Here is what you need to know about each election.
Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority
The mayoral election is the second to be held to choose the leader of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, a position created in 2017.
Conservative James Palmer is hoping to be re-elected but faces competition from Liberal Democrat Aidan Van De Weyer and Labour’s Nik Johnson.
The Combined Authority has significant powers over transport, affordable housing, business support, digital connectivity and the environment.
The winner is expected to be announced at Ross Peer Sports Centre in Soham on Saturday.
Read our Q&A with the candidates.
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Police and Crime Commissioner
The police and crime commissioner (PCC) election is being contested by four candidates: Conservative Darryl Preston, Labour’s Nicky Massey, Lib Dem Rupert Moss-Eccardt and Reform UK’s Sue Morris. The result will also be declared on Saturday in Soham.
The PCC holds the police force to account, acts as the voice of the people, works to help cut crime and run an efficient police service.
The former Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Police and Crime Commissioner Jason Ablewhite resigned in November 2019 following allegations relating to an exchange on social media.
Conservative Ray Bisby has been acting PCC since December 2019.
Read our Q&A with the candidates.
Cambridgeshire County Council
All 61 councillors on Cambridgeshire County Council are up for election.
The Conservative Party took control of the authority in 2017 after four years of no party having overall control and will be seeking to retain their majority.
The county council is the local education authority and has responsibility for areas include social care, highways, waste and recycling and services for children and families.
Counting for the county council election will take place in districts, with each expected to declare their division on Friday.
Read our Q&A with the parties.
Cambridge City Council
In Cambridge, elections will take place in all 14 wards of the city, and all 42 council seats will be up with each ward electing three councillors.
Labour currently controls the council, but the Liberal Democrats, Greens and the Conservatives are hoping to make gains.
Two independent candidates, along with three others representing the parties Rebooting Democracy, UKIP and the Workers’ Party of Britain, will be vying for residents’ votes.
The city council is responsible for areas including council housing, planning, the environment, cultural activities, parking, bin collection and business support.
Read our Q&A with the main parties, and read more about the other candidates.
South Cambridgeshire District Council
A by-election will be held for both the Harston and Comberton ward and the Melbourn ward.
Due to resignations received from Cllr Douglas de Lacey and Cllr Hazel Smith by-elections will also be held for the Girton ward and Milton and Waterbeach ward.
How will the votes be made Covid secure and what should I bring to the polling station?
Precautions are being taken across the county to ensure that polling stations will be safe places to visit on polling day. Voters will be required to wear a face covering, bring their own pen or pencil and maintain social distancing from staff and other members of the public.
There will be hand sanitiser available and polling stations will operate with a one-way system.
A spokesperson for the city council said: “We might ask you to queue outside so we can monitor the number of people in the station at any one time. Each polling station will have a Covid marshal at the entrance, to ensure social distancing and other measures are observed.
“Our staff will be frequently wiping down surfaces and regular touch points, but wipes will be available for you to use if you wish. Please remain behind the screens while your ballot papers are issued and do not lean around the screen to talk to our staff.
“If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you can ask the polling staff to remove their face mask to speak to you from behind the screens.”
Read more
Elections 2021: Cambridge City Council parties answer your questions
Elections 2021: Cambridgeshire County Council parties answer your key election questions
Elections 2021: Who is standing for election to Cambridgeshire County Council?
Elections 2021: Cambridgeshire mayoral candidates answer your key election questions
Elections 2021: Cambridgeshire police and crime commissioner candidates answer your questions
Follow our live coverage of the elections on this website, and follow us Twitter and Facebook for updates
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