When are the Elections?
Local Government Reorganisation in Cheshire means that Shadow Authorities are to be elected on 1 May 2008, with the main function of preparing for the transition to single tier local government on 1st April 2009.
The Cheshire (Structural Changes) Order 2008 cancels the elections that would otherwise have taken place in 2008 for councillors to the existing district councils. The term of office of those councillors who would have retired at the 2008 election is extended to 1st April 2009. Any casual vacancies in any of the existing councils arising after 30th September 2008 and before 1st April 2009 are not to be filled.
The elections in May 2008 will be held on the basis of new wards which will be the same as the existing county electoral divisions, and their existing names are retained.
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Each will return 3 councillors.
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Cheshire East will be comprised of 81 councillors
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Cheshire West and Chester will be comprised of 72 councillors.
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There will be elections to the Cheshire East Council and Cheshire West and Chester Council in 2011 and in every fourth year after that.
- Parliamentary Elections must be held every five years or less
- European Elections are held every five years in June.
- Parish Councils are elected every four years.
Voter Registration
You can vote if your name appears on the Electoral Register. You can register to vote if you are:
- 16 or over (but you cannot vote until after your 18th birthday)
- a British or Commonwealth citizen
- a citizen of the Irish Republic or other European Union (EU) Country
Citizens of EU countries other than the UK or Irish Republic cannot vote in Parliamentary Elections, and must fill in a separate form to vote in European Parliamentary Elections.
The Electoral Register
Once a year, registration forms are sent to every household for completion, usually in August or September. The Register is then published on 1 December each year.
Rolling Registration
Additions or deletions can also be made to the Register each month, except September, October and November when the new Register is being produced. Forms that are received by the beginning of each month are included on the updated register published the following month.
Why you should register to vote
Some organisations use the Electoral Register to confirm a person's address, so being registered helps you in obtaining services such as credit, bank accounts and student grants.
The Government also uses the Electoral Register to assess the Borough populations when deciding how much money it grants to the local authority to pay for key services.
How to vote
- in person at a polling station
- by post anywhere inside or outside of the UK
- if you are unable to get to a polling station you can arrange for a proxy vote
Application forms for a postal vote or proxy vote are available from the Electoral Registration Office at your local District Council Office:
For more information on voting and registration visit the About My Vote website which has been produced by the Electoral Commission.
View the results from the Cheshire County Council 2005 Elections
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