Candidate and agent briefing

An online briefing for prospective candidates and agents will be held via Teams on 2 March 2021 at 6.30pm – all prospective candidates and agents must register in advance so that an invite to the briefing can be sent. You must register no later than Monday 1 March to register please email elections@warrington.gov.uk.

On Thursday 6 May 2021 residents in Warrington will go to the polls to vote at the all out borough and parish elections and for the Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire .

Voting and your safety

The elections will take place at a time when COVID-19 continues to present risks to public health. We are working hard to ensure that the elections can go ahead in a COVID secure way.

Depending on the infection rate and restrictions in place, measures taken to control the spread of the virus may change as we approach May. This means we cannot currently answer all the questions you may have about how the election will be run. However, we are working hard with the Electoral Commission, the wider electoral community and public health authorities to help ensure you can stay safe when casting your vote in May in whichever way you choose.

We will update this page with further information as it becomes available. Further information is also available on the Electoral Commission website.

Are you standing for election?

If you are standing for election and have any questions or concerns, head to the becoming a councillor page which contains useful guidance and information about the process.

Make sure you’re registered to vote

If your details have recently changed (such as if you’ve moved house or changed your name) you need to let us know.

Register to vote

You can vote in other ways

Although we're working to make sure our polling stations in May will be COVID-secure, you can apply for a postal or proxy vote.

Frequently asked questions

When is the election? What elections are taking place?

On Thursday 6 May, residents in Warrington will be voting at local elections

View a full list of elections and referendums taking place in May

How can I vote at the May 2021 elections?

There are a number of ways to have your say in May - you can vote in a polling station, by post, or by appointing someone you trust to vote on your behalf, known as a proxy vote.

How can I apply to vote by post or proxy?

Visit our vote by post or proxy page for more information

How do I register to vote?

Visit our Register to vote page for more information

Is voting by post safe?

Yes, voting by post is safe and proven cases of electoral fraud are rare. When voting by post, you should mark your vote on the ballot paper in secret, and seal the envelope yourself.

You will also be asked to give your date of birth and signature when applying for a postal or proxy vote. This makes postal voting safe, because when you return your postal voting pack your signature and date of birth are checked against those you provided before to confirm your identity.

Your signature and date of birth are separated from your ballot paper before it is looked at or counted, so giving this information will not affect the secrecy of your vote.

How are you making polling stations safe?

We are putting arrangements in place to help ensure polling stations are safe places to vote. You can expect many of the measures you've become used to over recent months in shops and banks, such as hand sanitiser, floor markings and face coverings.

We will continue our discussions with public health authorities as we prepare for the elections to make sure we are following the most up to date guidance. We will continue to update this page as more information and guidance becomes available.

Will I need to bring my own pen or pencil?

Guidance in this area is still being developed, but you are always welcome to use your own pen or pencil. We are working with the UK's governments, members of the electoral community and public health authorities to help ensure polling stations are safe places to vote at the May 2021 elections.

We will update this page with new information as it becomes available.

Is it safer to vote by post, instead of going in person?

We are working hard to ensure that polling stations will be safe places to vote in May, but you can choose to apply to vote by post or by proxy instead.

What should I do if I find out closer to the time that I need to self-isolate, or my area goes into a local lockdown?

We want to make sure that everyone who is entitled to vote is able to do so, regardless of the pandemic. We will be providing more information nearer the time on how you can vote if you need to self-isolate, or live in an area under local lockdown.

You do have different options for voting at the May 2021 elections - you can vote in person, by post or by proxy. You can find more information on the Electoral Commission website.

When an election takes place if it has been requested through a casual vacancy

The election must usually be held within 60 days of the date that the vacancy arises.

Becoming a candidate

The qualifications for becoming a candidate and the nomination form and other documents are on the Electoral Commission website.

Nominations can only be taken at certain times during the election timetable. More details of these times for specific elections are given on the notice of election.

We will publish nomination papers and statutory notices for elections on this page during each election period.

If you have any questions, there is more general information on the Electoral Commission website or you can call 01925 442184 or email elections@warrington.gov.uk