On Thursday 7 May, local elections will be happening across Stockport and the UK.  

Here is the information you need to know for this upcoming election.  

What is the election for? 

Local elections decide the composition of the local council - in this case, Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council (SMBC).

Local elections have historically had very low turn-out rates. But your local council is responsible for things that are very important in our day to day lives, from waste collection to social care. 

Stockport is divided into 21 wards. Each ward is represented by three councillors. In this election, one councillor for every ward is being elected. Once elected, they will serve for four years on Stockport's council.  

So, there is a chance for all Stockport residents to have their say on who represents their area. 

How do I vote in the election? 

If you have previously applied to vote, you would have received a polling card in the post. This explains where your polling station is. 

If you lost your polling card, you can check where your polling station is through the electoral commissions website.  

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On the day, remember to bring a photo ID, as you won't be able to vote without one.  

This could be a UK or Northern Ireland passport, driving license or an older person's bus pass.  

Other forms of photo ID are also accepted. The full list can be found on the government's website.   

Polls will be open from 7AM to 10PM. If you join the queue by 10PM, you will still be able to vote even if voting runs over. 

Who should I vote for? 

Of course, this is not something we can decide for you. However, when there are so many different areas having elections at the same time, it can be difficult to find out who the candidates are. 

You can find a full list of the councillors, and their parties, standing in the local elections here.  

Stockport council will be webcasting the results live, which you can access through their website. 

Updates on who has won in each area will also be available on Stockport Nub News.    

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