It is election day and voters across the country will be heading to the polls.
Across Merseyside and the wider country, people will head to the polls to make their choices for who they want to represent them at a local level. These are crucial elections that could make huge differences in communities across the land.
But today's voting will also be seen as major tests for the national political parties. They could provide key indicators of where the country stands ahead of a General Election in the coming years.
So it's an important day and here is what you need to know about casting your vote.
When do polling stations open?
Polling stations in Merseyside and all over the country will open today at 7am. They will close at 10pm, giving you plenty of time to cast your vote. You will still be allowed to vote after 10pm providing you are in the queue before that time.
Do I need my polling card?
The short answer is no. You do not need to take your polling card to vote. Providing you have registered to vote in time, the team at the polling station will have your details and provide you with a ballot paper listing the parties and candidates up for election in your local area.
You will then take your ballot paper into a voting booth, so you can cast your vote in secret. 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.
Where is my polling station?
If you have a polling card, it should tell you on it where your polling station is. If you have misplaced it, you can easily find your allocated polling station by searching your post code here. It may not be the nearest one to your house and may have changed since last time you voted, so best to check.
