THE outbreak of Covid delayed some elections but democracy will take centre stage tomorrow as the North-East and North Yorkshire head to the polls - but what are people voting for and what happens if you develop Covid symptoms? 

Voters across the North-East and North Yorkshire will go to the polls on Thursday, May 6, on what has been dubbed “Super Thursday” as elections take place across the UK. 

People are being urged to plan ahead and check their poll card as polling stations may be different from the last election.

Polling stations are usually busier early in the morning and after school, so you may also want to go at a different time when it’s likely to be quieter.

How will voting be different this year?

You can vote in person at a polling station, which will be open from 7am to 10pm. If there’s a queue, you’ll still be able to vote as long as you joined it before 10pm.

Due to the pandemic, there will be safety measures in place. They will be familiar measures: hands, face, space. 

Social distancing rules will apply and there may be a limit on how many people are allowed inside the polling station. 

When you go inside, you much wear a face covering like you do when you go into shops or on public transport. 

Voters are also being urged to sanitise hands when heading into and out of the polling station, as hand sanitiser will be available at each polling station.

Staff may also be behind protective screens, like staff in shops, but they are still there to help. Stations will also be cleaned regularly, so you might have to wait for a booth to be cleaned before you can use it.

While clean pencils will be available for each voter, you can take your own pen or pencil.

Stations should also have a one-way system, if possible, so be prepared to follow the signage and any instructions.

What if I develop Covid symptoms before voting?

If you have Covid symptoms or have been asked to self-isolate for not visit the polling station.

If you were planning to vote in person or are someone’s proxy but find you can’t go to the polling station for reasons related to Covid, you can apply for an emergency proxy vote up until 5pm on polling day.

A proxy vote is here someone votes on your behalf because you can't vote yourself in person. Click here to find out how to apply. 

Your proxy can also apply if they develop symptoms.

What if I don't have my polling card?

You should have been sent a poll card just before an election telling you when to vote and at which polling station. You can only vote at the polling station location on your card but can still vote if you’ve lost your card.

Do I need ID to vote?

According to Government guidance, if you live in England, Wales or Scotland you do not need to bring any identification to vote.

You do not have to take your poll card with you.

Give your name and address to the staff inside the polling station when you arrive and you’ll be given a ballot paper containing a list of the people, parties or options you can vote for.

So what elections are taking place in the North East and North Yorkshire?

Local elections

There will be 21 county councils holding elections, along with 28 unitary authorities, 59 district councils and 35 of the 36 metropolitan boroughs (the one exception is Birmingham, where elections will take place in 2022). All use the first-past-the-post system.

Labour's stronghold on Durham County Council is under threat as the Conservative Party hopes to replicate 2019 success, which saw Conservatives ousting Labour MPs, by replacing longstanding Labour Party councillors with Tory candidates. 

Meanwhile, Darlington Council has a narrow majority so is one to watch. There are 21 Conservatives, 18 Labour members, three Liberal Democrats, three Independent group Members, two Green Party members and one Independent.

Hartlepool by-election

The contest to elect Hartlepool’s next MP provides a key test for Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer. The party held the seat in 2019 with a majority of 3,595.

But the “red wall” across the north crumbled, handing Boris Johnson the keys to No 10, so the by-election will give an indication of whether Sir Keir has been able to reverse the process that has seen Labour’s heartlands disappear.

Bookmakers have made the Tories odd-on favourites to secure the seat, a rare feat for a governing party.

As in a general election, the first-past-the-post system is used – whoever gets the most votes wins the seat.

English mayors

Regional mayors will be elected for Cambridgeshire & Peterborough, Greater Manchester, the Liverpool City Region, Tees Valley, West Midlands, West of England and – for the first time – West Yorkshire. High-profile names seeking re-election include Labour’s Andy Burnham in Greater Manchester and Tory Andy Street in the West Midlands.

Five local mayors are also due to be elected on May 6, for the local authorities of Bristol, Doncaster, Liverpool, North Tyneside and Salford. The supplementary vote system is used.

The Conservative's Ben Houchen was elected as the first Mayor of Tees Valley in May 2017 and is now being challenged by Labour's Jessie Joe Jacobs. The election was postponed from last year due to the pandemic.

The Conservatives, Lib Dems, Green Party and Ukip all have a candidate running for North Tyneside's top job and against incumbent mayor Labour’s Norma Redfearn, who has held the position since 2013.

Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) elections

PCCs will be elected in all areas of England apart from London, Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire, where these powers are held by the directly-elected mayor. A total of 39 commissioners will be chosen across England and Wales using the supplementary vote system.

There are three candidates up for the role of Durham Police and Crime Commissioner, which also serves Darlington. They represent the main political parties, with one from the Conservatives, Lib Dems and Labour.