Q: What are the elections for?
A: To elect your three local councillors. Whichever three candidates get the most votes, they will be your councillors until 2027.
Q: So not for the Government?
A: No. The next General Election (to elect MPs) is not until 2025 (at the latest). Many people tell us they vote for us in council elections, but vote for another party in general elections.
Q: Why for three councillors at once?
A: Until now (and ever since 1974!), local councillors in Wirral have been elected on a 'rota' to serve for four years. That meant there were council elections most years. However, following the latest financial problems at the Council, an independent review recommended moving to electing all three councillors in each area at the same time, to serve for four years. Basically, to stop the permanent campaigning and to focus more on the longer term decisions needed.
Q: Who are the candidates?
A: details of all the candidates can be found here and, in the 'battleground' wards, our candidates are:
- In Wallasey Ward, Steve Hoey, Ian Lewis and Lesley Rennie
- In Moreton West & Saughall Massie, Colin Baldwin, Gary Bennett and Vida Wilson.
It's a two horse race in this area - either three more, unknown Labour councillors or us. The other parties are too far behind and can't win here.
Q: Will I have three ballot papers?
A: No. All the candidates for your area will be listed alphabetically on one ballot paper. You will be asked to put three crosses or ticks against the three names you want as your local councillors.
Q: I usually vote by post. Do I need to to anything?
No. The Council's Elections Team wrote to existing postal voters last year to ask them to confirm their details. If you didn't reply or can't remember, call them on 01516918046 or email electoral@wirral.gov.uk.
You can use these contact details if you'd like to apply to vote by post this time or you can fill in the form here, print it and post it back.
Q: I've not had a polling card delivered. Can I still vote?
Yes, if you are registered to vote. The polling card is produced and delivered to help people know where, when and how to vote. So long as you are registered to vote, that's enough. Call 01516918046 or email electoral@wirral.gov.uk to check
Q: What is all this I've heard about needing to take ID?
Like most other countries, people in Britain are now required to show photo ID to vote. Northern Ireland has had this for many years. Photo ID can include a passport (even a lapsed one, so long as your photo is recognisable as you), UK Government bus pass or driving license. For a full list, go to this site and check. A polling card from the council is NOT valid id.
Q: I don't have photo ID, can I still vote?
Yes. The Council's website tells you how you can obtain a free Voter Authority Certificate instead or you can apply to vote by post.
Q: I'm not sure where I should be voting.
A: Click on this page and put in your postcode. If you usually vote at Wallasey Village Library, you'll be asked to vote at St Hilary's Church instead this year.