Everything you need to know about the 2021 local elections

Local elections will take place in England on Thursday 6 May 2021, with 22 seats up for election on Sefton Council. These elections were previously scheduled for May 2020 but were delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

How can I vote in the local elections?

Residents who wish to vote in the May 6 elections will be able to via the usual means of in-person voting, postal voting or voting by proxy, however you must be registered to vote.

How can I register to vote, or check I am registered?

Registering online is quick and easy. It takes just 5 minutes and all you require is your National Insurance number. You can register to vote at https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

You must be aged 16 and fulfil residency criteria to be eligible to vote.

You will need to register, or re-register, if you have turned 18 or moved home in the past 12 months.  If you were registered to vote in the last election and your details have not changed, you will still be registered to vote.

The deadline to register to vote in the coming elections is Monday 19 April 2021l.

If you can’t register online, or you wish to check you are registered correctly, you can contact:

Electoral Services – Sefton Council
Bootle Town Hall
Oriel Road
L20 7AE

electors@sefton.gov.uk

0340 140 0845

Can I vote by post?

Yes, and postal voting is encouraged given the public health situation.

To download an application form click here.

The deadline for receipt of all postal vote applications is 5pm on Tuesday April 20, 2021 with those registered to vote remotely expected to receive their voting packs around April 24.

Can I vote by proxy?

Yes.

If you can’t cast your vote in person, you can ask someone you trust to cast your vote for you. This is called a proxy vote and the person casting your vote is often referred to as your proxy.

The deadline to apply for a proxy vote for the elections on is 5pm on Tuesday 27 April. You must also be registered to vote by midnight on Monday 19 April.

To apply for a proxy vote, you must complete a form and give a reason why you can’t get to your polling station in person.

You can find out more information on proxy voting and applying for a proxy vote by visiting the Electoral Commission website

Which electoral ward do I live in?

You can check which ward you live in by visiting the Borough & Ward Profiles page on the Sefton Council website

Where is my polling station?

The list of polling stations is not yet confirmed. You will get a poll card in the post before the election. This will tell you where to vote.

Which seats are up for election?

The council is elected by thirds, meaning a third of councillors are elected every year over a four-year period. There are no elections in the fourth year. As such, 22 of Sefton’s 66 seats are up for election in 2021, there are also 2 by elections in Blundellsands and Derby wards.

In Southport:

Cambridge: 1 seat currently occupied by Pat Keith (Liberal Democrat)
Meols: 1 seat currently occupied by John Dodd (Liberal Democrat)
Norwood: 1 seat currently occupied by Carran Waterfield (Labour)
Kew: 1 seat currently occupied by David Gwyn Pullin (Liberal Democrat)
Birkdale: 1 seat currently occupied by Richard Ronald Hands (Liberal Democrat)
Dukes: 1 seat currently occupied by Tony Dawson (Liberal Democrat)
Ainsdale: 1 seat currently occupied by Lynne Thompson (Liberal Democrat)

In Freshfield/Formby:

Harrington: 1 seat currently occupied by Michael Ronald Pitt (Conservative)
Ravenmeols: 1 seat currently occupied by Bob McCann (Community Action Not Party Politics)

Elsewhere in Sefton:

Blundellsands: 1 seat currently occupied by Diane Elizabeth Roscoe (Labour)
Manor: 1 seat currently occupied by John Kelly (Labour)
Victoria: 1 seat currently occupied by Michael Roche (Labour)
Church: 1 seat currently occupied by Paul Paschal Cummins (Labour)

Derby: 1 seat currently occupied by Anne Margaret Thompson (Labour)
Linacre: 1 seat currently occupied by Brenda O’Brien (Labour)
Litherland: 1 seat currently occupied by Patricia Hardy (Labour)
Ford: 1 seat currently occupied by Paulette Lappin (Labour)

Netherton and Orrell: 1 seat currently occupied by Robert John Brennan (Labour)
St. Oswald: 1 seats currently occupied by Linda Cluskey (Labour)

Sudell: 1 seat currently occupied by Matt Gannon (Independent)
Park: 1 seat currently occupied by Pat O’Hanlon (Independent)
Molyneux: 1 seat currently occupied by Paula Mary Murphy (Labour)

By -Elections
1 extra seat in Blundellsands
1 extra seat in Derby

Elections for Mayor of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Merseyside Police Commissioner will also take place at the same time.

Police and Crime Commissioner Election

https://liverpool.gov.uk/council/voting-and-elections/may-elections-2021/police-and-crime-commissioner-for-merseyside-election/

Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Mayoral Election

https://liverpool.gov.uk/council/voting-and-elections/may-elections-2021/combined-authority-mayor-for-the-liverpool-city-region-election/

Which candidates are standing in the elections?

The deadline for candidates to submit their nominations in 4pm on Thursday 8 April 2021.  A list of candidates will be published by 5pm on Friday 9 April 2021

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