The next election to be held in Cheshire East is for every seat in the Cheshire East Council and all Town and Parish Councils in the district.
The Local Election will take place on Thursday 5th May and this will be the first election using the new electoral ward boundaries following a review by the Boundary Committee. This means there will be 82 Councillors in the Cheshire East Council.
The decision was also made to create a single member ward for Alderley Edge, thereby reducing the number of Borough Councillors from three to one. In addition, all nine seats on Alderley Edge Parish Council will be up for grabs.
If you are interested in becoming a councillor then briefings will be held for prospective candidates during the coming weeks where the nomination process, timetables and other relevant details will be covered. If you are interested in standing as a candidate contact Electoral Services by phoning 0300 123 5016.
Nomination papers for prospective candidates must be submitted to the Returning Officer by 12 noon on the 4th of April.
Cheshire East Council is also calling on people to act now so they don't lose their vote at the local elections on May 5th. Residents are being urged to contact the Council to check that their details are on the official Register of Electors for 2011.
Cheshire East Council Chief Executive Erika Wenzel, who will be the Returning Officer at the local elections, said: "Casting your vote is the lifeblood of our healthy and vibrant democracy.
"It is really important that people don't miss out on the opportunity to vote and ensure they have a voice on the important local issues that affect their daily lives. Voting gives you a say on everything from roads and recycling, to education and climate change. The fact is, if you haven't got a vote, you haven't got a voice. I would urge everyone of voting age to take just a few minutes to ensure that they are registered to vote."
To find out if you are registered, or to request a postal vote, ring 0300 123 5016. Alternatively email the Council's democratic services team.
To download voter registration forms, visit the Council's Registering to Vote webpage, or for more information about the local elections click here.
The closing date for the receipt of applications to register your vote is April 14th.
Central government have confirmed that a national referendum on the alternative vote system will take place on the same day as the local elections.
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