UPDATED: Local Elections | May 2021

The Government delayed some local elections last year because of the Coronavirus pandemic. They will now take place on Thursday 6th May.

Residents living in Hartlip, Newington and Upchurch and Bobbing, Iwade and Lower Halstow wards, who are eligible can vote in 2 elections, both administered by Swale Borough Council.

Voters will choose who represents them at Kent County Council, and the Kent Police and Crime Commissioner.

1. To choose a Kent County Councillor to represent Swale West

Kent County Councillors represent their local area and residents at County Hall and contribute to the development of KCC policies for public services such as education, transport, highways, strategic planning, emergency services, social services, health, public safety, waste disposal as well as policies for the Kent economy and environment.

For more information, visit the Kent County Council website

The candidates are:

2. To choose the Kent Police and Crime Commissioner

The Kent Police and Crime Commissioner is responsible for overseeing how crime is tackled across the county. PCCs help control police budgets and hold the force's chief constable to account for the performance of officers and staff. They ensure your local police force are prioritising what matters to you.

In this election, you can vote for a first and second preference of who you want to win. 

For more information, visit the Kent Police & Crime Commissioner website

The candidates are:

Voting

You need to be on the electoral register to vote in elections or referendums.

The deadline to register to vote in the elections taking place on Thursday 6th May was midnight on Monday 19th April.

If you are not already registered to vote, it is now too late to register to vote in these elections.

Polling Stations will be open between the hours of 7:00am and 10:00pm on Thursday 6th May 2021. For those who choose to vote in person, polling stations will be safe places to vote.

A recent postcard mailing sent out to households from Swale Borough Council included advice about safe voting during the pandemic and encouraged anyone concerned to register for a postal or proxy vote.

For information and how to register to vote in future elections, visit www.swale.gov.uk/elections

Whichever way you vote, make your vote count on Thursday 6th May!

Upchurch Matters