Voters in Lincoln go to the polls on Thursday in one of the city’s most unpredictable council elections for years, with the result likely to be closely watched across the region on a day when there are no local elections taking place in Nottinghamshire.
The City of Lincoln will go to the polls on Thursday, May 7 in one of the most unpredictable elections for years.
The elections – which at one point looked as though they would be cancelled – could change how the council is run.
It will be closely watched to see whether Labour can defend their seats, and if Reform can claim their first victories on the city council.
Here’s everything you need to know about the elections.
When will we know the results?
It’s estimated that the full results for Lincoln will be one of the first in the country to be announced, around 2am on Friday.
Establishing who controls the council could be obvious immediately, or may take time to determine if no party holds a majority of seats.
In the rest of the country, some English councils will count the votes overnight, while Wales and Scotland will begin the process next morning.
Which seats are up for grabs?
Lincoln is split into 11 wards, each represented by three councillors who serve four-year terms.
One seat in every ward will be up for grabs. The last round of elections took place in 2022.
Seven of the contested seats are held by Labour, three by Conservatives and one by the Liberal Democrats.
What time are polls open?
Polls will open between 7am and 10pm.
You should have had a polling card telling you which polling station you need to vote at. If not, you can check on the Electoral Commission website.
You don’t need to take the polling card with you, although you will need a form of ID.
Residents may also have voted by post, or have designated someone as their proxy to vote on their behalf.
Who can I vote for?
The list of candidates standing in your ward is available online, and will be printed on your ballot paper.
What does City of Lincoln Council do?
The city council handles local matters such as housing, bins, parks planning and licensing.
Larger-scale services such as looking after the roads, children’s services, public health and social care are carried out by Lincolnshire County Council.
