THOUSANDS of people across Somerset will go to the polls today to vote for two candidates standing to be elected to the county’s new unitary authority.

A total of 110 councillors will be elected – two in each of the 55 existing county council divisions – to the new Somerset Council, which will be established on April 1, 2023.

Around 434,000 residents are eligible to cast their votes, and there are 337 candidates standing for election – around 40 per cent of whom are current district or county councillors.

In their first year, the councillors will take responsibility for all current council services and oversee the local government reorganisation.

They will then represent voters for a further four years until May 2027 and will be responsible for the services that are currently delivered by the county and four district councils (Mendip, Sedgemoor, Somerset West and Taunton, and South Somerset).

Ahead of the elections, a county council spokesperson said: “We wholeheartedly encourage everyone who is registered to vote to come out on 5 May and exercise their democratic right.

“This is the chance to help decide who represents your community in a new council that will be responsible for services that have an impact on everyone’s day-to-day lives.”

When and where can I vote?

Somerset’s 477 polling stations will be open between 7am and 10pm today (Thursday, May 5).

Anyone who is in the queue to vote when the polls close at 10pm will be guaranteed entry to the ballot boxes.

Voters can find their polling station by looking at their polling card or by visiting the Where Do I Vote website and typing in their postcode.

The deadline to register to vote in these local elections passed on April 14, and the deadline for postal votes closed on April 19.

Voters can apply for an emergency proxy vote until 5pm if they cannot vote in person due to “something that you weren't aware of before the normal proxy vote deadline”.

This includes medical emergencies, being away for work, or for reasons linked to Covid-19.

Voters do not need to bring their polling card with them when they head to the polls.

The Electoral Commission – which regulates elections in the UK – has provided a list of dos and don’ts for voters.

Who can I vote for?

The Conservatives have put forward the most candidates for election across the 55 divisions (109), followed by the Liberal Democrats (108), the Green Party (50), and Labour (43).

A total of 23 candidates are standing either as independents or with no political affiliation or description.

Each party has published a manifesto outlining why they believe they are the right group to lead Somerset’s new unitary authority:

The County Gazette also spoke to John Hunt about the advantages of being an independent candidate.

What happens after the election?

Once all the votes have been cast, the ballot boxes will be sealed and transported to one of four counts around the county – one for each of the current districts.

The ballot boxes will then be verified before the counts start at 10am on Friday, May 6.

The results will be declared in batches by each venue’s returning officer throughout the day.

The full results should be declared at around 4pm – unless there is a recount or another challenge to overcome.

Somerset County Gazette: Ballot boxes arrive at a count during the North Shropshire by-election in December. Picture: Jacob King, PA WireBallot boxes arrive at a count during the North Shropshire by-election in December. Picture: Jacob King, PA Wire

If one party emerges with a majority (56 seats out of 110), it will be able to form the unitary authority’s first government.

If no party receives enough seats, a coalition may be formed, or a confidence and supply agreement will be made to allow the largest party to lead the government.  

The new administration will formally be in charge by the time of the next full council meeting, scheduled to take place on Wednesday, May 25 in Bridgwater.