All elections held in Warrington are organised by the electoral services department.

Local elections

The council has 57 councillors - or elected members - representing 22 electoral wards in the borough.

Each councillor serves four years and stand for election on a rota basis. Local elections are held in three out of every four years and each year one third of the 57 councillors retire.

A by-election or casual vacancy can occur due to resignation or death of a councillor.

UK Parliament (or general) elections

Warrington has two parliamentary constituencies - Warrington North and Warrington South.

Parliamentary elections have to take place within five years of the last election and during this period, the UK government may call a general election at any time.  The last general election was held in early May 2010.

European Parliament elections

European Parliamentary elections are held every five years, usually in June.

The UK is divided into 12 regions - Warrington is in the North West region which is represented by eight MEPs. The next European Parliamentary election will be held in June 2014.

Parish council elections

The borough of Warrington has 18 parish councils and 51 parished wards. Parish council elections are held every four years.

The next parish council elections will be held in spring 2012.

A by-election or casual vacancy can occur due to resignation or death of a councillor.