For the first time since December 2019, voters across Devon will go to the polls on Thursday, May 6, in a series of elections.

Elections will take place for all 60 seats on Devon County Council, the Police and Crime Commissioner, the delayed 2020 local elections in Exeter and Plymouth, by-elections in East Devon, South Hams, Mid Devon, Torbay and Exeter, Neighbourhood Plan referendums, and for various vacant parish and town council seats.

But who is standing, how exactly is voting going to be carried out in a Covid-safe manner, and when will I know who has won?

The Local Democracy Reporting Service takes a look at some of the questions and more in all you need to know about the local elections.

When and how can I vote?

Polling stations will open at 7am on Thursday, May 6, and close at 10pm later that day. If there's a queue at your polling station, you'll still be able to vote as long as you joined the queue before 10pm.

Your polling station where you can vote from is listed on the polling card that you should have received in the post.

When you get to your polling station, tell the polling station staff (or poll clerk) your name, or give them your poll card. You don't need your poll card to vote, but it can help to speed up the process.

The staff will then give you a ballot paper listing the candidates you can vote for. You might be given more than one ballot paper if there is more than one election taking place in your local area on the same day.

Take your ballot paper (or papers) to a polling booth, so that you can cast your vote in secret.

Read the instructions on the ballot paper carefully. Some elections use different voting methods, so you need to make sure you fill in each ballot paper correctly.

Complete your ballot paper using the pencil provided in the polling booth. You can also use your own pen if you want to. Don't write anything else on the paper, or your vote may not be counted.

If you make a mistake, don't put your ballot paper in the ballot box. Ask the polling station staff for a replacement ballot paper, and fill it in again.

Once you're done, fold your completed ballot paper and put it in the ballot box.

Voting in person at a polling station will be a bit different this year in order to help keep everyone safe:

- You will need to wear a face covering when you go in to the polling station, unless you are exempt.

- Hand sanitiser will be available at the entrance/exit of polling stations. Make sure that you use it before and after you cast your vote.

- It is advisable to bring your own pen or pencil this year. Don't worry, if you forget there will be clean pencils available.

- Social distancing measures will be in place and will be well signposted. It might mean that you have to queue so please factor this in to your plans and leave extra time.

In certain circumstances, where you have an emergency that means you can't vote in person, you can apply for an emergency proxy.

This must be something that you weren't aware of before the normal proxy vote deadline, such as a medical emergency, being away for work, and being told to self-isolate as a result of either contracting Covid-19 or being in contact with someone who has.

These applications can be made up to 5pm on polling day and your proxy will then cast the vote that you would have made for you.

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What elections are taking place?

Devon, Cornwall, and the Isles of Scilly

Everyone in Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly will also have the chance to elect a Police and Crime Commissioner for the region.

That election will take place on Thursday, May 6, with candidates from the Conservatives, Labour, Liberal Democrats and Green Party standing.

The election Police and Crime Commissioner for the region would normally serve a four year term, but will instead only serve a three year term to ensure the return to the usual electoral cycle.

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Devon County Council

Everyone in Devon also have the chance to elect their representative(s) for Devon County Council for the next four years.

The 2021 Devon County Council elections scheduled for Thursday, May 6, 2021, will take place as usual.

The entirety of the 60-strong council will be up for re-election, with 56 'single-member' Electoral Divisions and 2 'two-member' Divisions'.

The current composition of the council consists of 41 Conservatives, 6 Labour, 6 Liberal Democrats, 4 Independents, 1 Green Party, 1 East Devon Alliance and 1 North Devon Liberal.

All elected councillors will serve their usual four year term upon their election.

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East Devon District Council

A by-election will take place in the Whimple & Rockbeare Ward on May 6 following the resignation of Cllr Kathy McLachlan, with the winner serving a two year term.

The current composition of the council is Conservative (20), East Devon Alliance (13), Independents (16), Liberal Democrats (7), Green Party (2), and two seats vacant, with the council run by a coalition of the EDA, Lib Dems, Greens and some Independents.

A by-election in the Honiton St Michael's ward following the resignation of Cllr Luke Jeffery will be held at a later date after his resignation occurred after the notice of elections for May 6 were published.

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Town and parish councils

Exmouth Town (1)

Exmouth Littleham (1)

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Who is standing for election?

Here is the list of candidates standing for the PCC, Devon County Council, and district council elections. An * after the name denotes they are the sitting elected official.

Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly

Brian Blake (Liberal Democrats)

Gareth Derrick (Labour)

Alison Hernandez (Conservatives) *

Stuart Jackson (Green Party)

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Devon County Council: Exmouth (2 councillors to be elected)

Tim Dumper (Liberal Democrats)

Josie Parkhouse (Labour)

Michael Rosser (Green Party)

Richard Scott (Conservatives) *

Jeff Trail (Conservatives) *

Joe Whibley (Independent)

Daniel Wilson (Labour)

Devon County Council: Exmouth and Budleigh Salterton Coastal

Brian Bailey (Independent)

Christine Channon (Conservatives) *

Keith Edwards (Labour)

Brigitte Graham (UKIP)

David Hayward (Reform UK)

David Ireson (Green Party)

Penny Lewis (Liberal Democrats)

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When will I know the results?

The Devon County Council, plus the district council by-elections, will be verifying the votes on Thursday, May 6, from 10pm, once polling stations close.

They will then begin the counting at 10am on Friday, May 7, for the Devon County Council elections, with the hope that results will be declared by around 2pm on Friday.

Exeter City Council will start the counting process at 2pm on Friday, May 7, with the hope that they will declare the result at around 5pm

The Police and Crime Commissioner count will begin at 9.30am on Monday, May 10, with a result expected by around 1pm if a candidate wins in the first round, or by 5pm if a second round is required.

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