Voters across England will have their say on who represents them in the local council elections on Thursday, May 4.
More than 8,000 council seats in England are up for grabs across 230 local authorities, ranging from small rural areas to some of the largest towns and cities in the UK.
In Greater Manchester, seats are up for grabs in all ten of the region's boroughs. Elections are also taking place to choose mayors in Bedford, Leicester, Mansfield and Middlesbrough.
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In a major change this year, anyone voting in the local elections will have to provide ID at the polling station. It's the first time that voters in England will have to present photographic identification before casting their ballot, and only certain types such as passports and driving licences will be accepted.
Once all the votes are in, the ballot counting will start. The majority of councils will begin their counts on Friday morning, but just over 60 councils will start straight away, working through the night to count the votes.
What time do polling stations open and close?
Polling stations are open throughout the morning, afternoon and evening on Thursday in order to give as many people as possible the chance to vote.
Early risers will be able to cast their votes from 7am when polling stations open. Votes can then be cast up until the polling stations close at 10pm in the evening.
Your local polling station will be listed on your polling card, or you can search for it on your local council website using your postcode.
You don't need to take your polling card with you in order to vote, but you do need to remember your photo ID.
READ MORE:
- The newly introduced changes you will see at Greater Manchester polling stations when you vote on May 4
- Local elections 2023: The key battlegrounds as Greater Manchester prepares to go to the polls
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- Manchester councillors in Zorro-style masks send out Voter ID warning in bizarre Twitter video
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