Last updated on Thursday, 2pm
THOUSANDS of voters will go to the polls across Oxfordshire as local elections take place today.
Four Oxfordshire districts are holding elections. They are:
- Vale of White Horse
- West Oxfordshire
- South Oxfordshire
- Cherwell
UPDATES: Follow the counts and results LIVE on our blog
What about Oxford?
There are no elections in Oxford. All city councillors will face the voters next year.
ALSO SEE: Dogs at polling stations - your pictures
How many seats are up for grabs?
All district council wards in South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse will be contested.
In Cherwell and West Oxfordshire districts a third of seats – one for each ward – will be contested.
What can and can't I do in a polling station?
For polling station rules - click here
Polling stations are now open until 10pm tonight. Don't worry if you can't find the 'safe place' you've put your polling card - you can still vote. Pls remember, polling stations are selfie-free zones so wait until you’re outside to snap away! https://t.co/4Snb1hdS9q pic.twitter.com/O6IEm353UR
— West Oxfordshire DC (@WodcNews) May 2, 2019
Who are the candidates?
WEST OXFORDSHIRE CANDIDATES - FULL LIST
SOUTH OXFORDSHIRE CANDIDATES - FULL LIST
VALE OF WHITE HORSE CANDIDATES - FULL LIST
CHERWELL CANDIDATES - FULL LIST
What could happen?
The elections could change the representation in South Oxfordshire and Vale significantly.
South Oxfordshire’s Conservative group has been reduced from 33 councillors at the start of 2018 to 25 today. It was whittled down by resignations and suspensions for six councillors who voted against the council’s controversial Local Plan in December.
Of those six councillors, just Elizabeth Gillespie will stand for the party in Garsington and Horspath today after she served a suspension.
Another, Elaine Hornsby, will stand as an independent in Wallingford. The other four – including former SODC leader John Cotton – will not stand for re-election at all.
Despite having just nine councillors against the Conservatives’ 29 on Vale of White Horse council, Liberal Democrat insiders have said they are hopeful they could take control of it.
They have said anger over Brexit and other local matters could drive voters to them.
Turnout against the last time the seats were contested could also be significant.
The last time the councillors up for re-election tomorrow faced the voters was in 2015, on the same day the Conservatives and Witney’s MP David Cameron unexpectedly won a majority.
Turnout is likely to be much lower today.
Elsewhere, Charles Cottrell-Dormer, who is believed to be the longest serving councillor in Oxfordshire, will stand again in Stonesfield and Tackley. He has been a councillor in West Oxfordshire since 1969.
ALSO READ: West Oxfordshire - each of the parties has their say
When and where can I vote?
Polling stations will open at 7am and close at 10pm.
To find your polling station, visit the website for your area's district council and use their postcode finder tool.
When will the resuts be in?
South and Vale will count votes from about 2am tomorrow at the White Horse Leisure and Tennis Centre in Abingdon.
Cherwell and West Oxfordshire councils will count votes at Spiceball and Windrush Leisure Centres in Banbury and Witney tomorrow.
What about the picture nationally?
Everything you need to know about local elections around the UK
Follow the Oxford Mail tonight and into tomorrow morning for a live blog from the counts.
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