All elections that were scheduled to be held on 7 May 2020 were postponed by the Government as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Local Government and Police and Crime Commissioner (Coronavirus) Postponement of Elections and Referendums) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020 postponed all elections and by-elections until 6 May 2021.
2021 Elections
Elections for the postponed Police and Crime Commissioner and the scheduled Lincolnshire County Council elections are due to take place on Thursday 6 May 2021. In addition a number of by-elections and Neighbourhood Plan Referendums will be held.
We are putting arrangements in place to help ensure polling stations are safe places to vote. You can expect many of the measures you've become used to over recent months in shops and banks, such as hand sanitiser, floor markings and face coverings.
We will continue to take advice from public health authorities as we prepare for the elections to make sure we are following the most up to date guidance. We will continue to update this page as more information and guidance becomes available.
Further information can also be found on the website of the Electoral Commission at: https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter.
Lincolnshire County Council Elections - 6 May 2021
Fourteen County Council seats are within the South Kesteven District Council administrative area. One councillor will be elected for each electoral division and each councillor is elected to serve a four year term.
The deadline for receipt of candidate nominations was 4pm on 8 April 2021. A list of the candidates can be downloaded below.
Statement of Persons Nominated - County Council electoral divisions [122kb]
Notice of Appointment of Election Agents [118kb]
Notice of Election [70kb] for the electoral divisions within South Kesteven, published 22 March 2021
List of Electoral Divisions [42kb]
Details of the areas and boundaries of the electoral divisions can be viewed at www.election-maps.co.uk
For further information visit the Lincolnshire County Council website
Information for Candidates
Guidance for candidates
Qualifications for standing as a candidate
To qualify as a candidate a person must be 18 years of age and a Commonwealth citizen, citizen of Republic of Ireland or a citizen of another Member State of the European Union and either:
i) be registered as a local government elector within the County of Lincolnshire; or
ii) have occupied as owner or tenant any land or other premises during the whole of the previous 12 months within the County; or
iii) his/her principal or only place of work during the whole of the previous 12 months has been within the County; or
iv) have resided in the County for the whole of the previous 12 months.
Police and Crime Commissoner election - 6 May 2021
Notice of Poll [15kb] for the Lincolnshire Police Area
Statement of Persons Nominated [47kb] for the Lincolnshire Police Area
Notice of Appointment of Election Agents [12kb] for the Lincolnshire Police Area
Notice of Election [68kb] for the Lincolnshire Police and Crime Commissioner Election, published 22 March 2021
Police Area Returning Officer
For each police force area, one council will act as the lead authority dealing with the nomination of candidates and co-ordinating and declaring the results.
For Lincolnshire the Police and Crime Commissioner election is co-ordinated by the Police Area Returning Officer who is Angela Andrews, Chief Executive at City of Lincoln Council.
For further information visit the City of Lincoln website.
Information can also be found on the Electoral Commission website
Election Timetable 2021
Publication of Notice of Election | 22 March 2021 |
Deadline for Receipt of Nominations | 8 April 2021 (4pm) |
Publication of Statement of Persons Nominated | 9 April 2021 |
Deadline for receiving applications for registration | 19 April 2021 (midnight) |
Deadline for receiving new postal vote and proxy postal applications, and changes to existing postal or proxy votes | 20 April 2021 (5pm) |
Deadline for receiving new applications to vote by proxy | 27 April 2021 (5pm) |
First date for re-issue of lost and spoilt postal votes | 29 April 2021 |
Last date for replacement postal votes | 6 May 2021 (5pm) |
Deadline for receiving Emergency Proxy Applications | 6 May 2021 (5pm) |
Polling Day - 7am - 10pm | 6 May 2021 |
Counting of Votes and Declaration of Result | 8 May 2021 |
Supplementary Voting System
The elections for the Police and Crime Commissioner uses the Supplementary Voting System. This is the system used in Mayoral elections.
The ballot paper will list the Police and Crime Commissioner candidates, with two columns for marking your first choice and second choice.
In the first column, voters will mark a cross [X] next to the candidate who is their first choice. For the vote to be counted, voters must cast a first choice vote.
In the second column, voters can mark a cross [X] next to the candidate who is their second choice. Voters do not have to mark a second choice.
If no candidate receives more than 50% of the first preference votes, the two candidates with the highest number of first preference votes go forward to the second round.
In the second round of counting, ballots indicating a first preference for a candidate that lost the first round are reallocated according to the second preference indicated in the ballot paper.
If only two candidates stand in the area, the election will use the first-past-the-post system. Voters will only vote for one candidate in this instance, by putting a cross [X] in the box next to their choice.
Statutory Notices
Notices for the Police and Crime Commisserioner election will be published on this page and further information can be found on the City of Lincoln website
Contact our elections team on 01476 406080 or email elections@southkesteven.gov.uk for further help or guidance.
District, Parish and Town Council By-elections
By-elections have been called to fill a number of vacancies. By-elections for the following areas will be taking place on 6 May 2021, alongside the County Council and Police and Crime Commissioner elections:
- Glen Ward of South Kesteven District Council - 1 vacancy
- Stamford Town Council - St George's Ward - 2 vacancies
- Corby Glen Parish Council - 2 vacancies
- Pointon and Sempringham Parish Council - 5 vacancies
The deadline for receipt of candidate nominations was 4pm on 8 April 2021. A list of the candidates can be downloaded below.
Glen Ward
Statement of Persons Nominated - Glen Ward [66kb]
Notice of Appointment of Elections Agents - Glen Ward [65kb]
Corby Glen Parish
Result of Uncontested Election - Corby Glen parish [62kb]
Statement of Persons Nominated - Corby Glen Parish [11kb]
Pointon and Sempringham Parish
Statement of Persons Nominated - Pointon and Sempringham Parish [69kb]
Stamford Town Council - St George's ward
Statement of Persons Nominated - Stamford Town Council, St George's ward [16kb]
The Notices of Elections for all of the above elections are published on 22 March 2021:
Notice of Election Glen Ward [66kb]
Notice of Election Parish and Town [66kb]
District Council Election - Candidate information: |
Electoral Commission guidance for candidates at local government elections |
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Parish and Town Council Elections - Candidate information: |
Electoral Commission Guidance to Candidates at Parish Council elections |
Forms, information and guidance for all candidates |
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Frequently Asked Questions
When is the election? What elections are taking place?
On Thursday 6 May 2021, residents in South Kesteven will be voting for:
- Police and Crime Commissioner for Lincolnshire
- Lincolnshire County Councillors
- District by-election for the Glen Ward of South Kesteven District Council
- Town Council by-election for the George's ward of Stamford Town Council
- Parish Council by-elections for the Parishes of Corby Glen and Pointon and Sempringham
The Police and Crime Commissioner election will be held in May after being postponed in May 2020 as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
In addition, Neighbourhood Plan Referendums will be held in some areas.
How can I vote at the May 2021 elections?
There are a number of ways to have your say in May - you can vote in a polling station, by post, or by appointing someone you trust to vote on your behalf, known as a proxy vote.
How can I apply to vote by post or proxy?
To vote in the elections - either at a polling station, by post, or by appointing someone you trust to vote on your behalf as your proxy - you must first be registered to vote, which can be done online in just 5 minutes. You can register at: www.gov.uk/register-to-vote
To then apply to vote by post you need to download, print and fill in a postal vote application form. Once you have completed the form and signed it, you need to send it to the electoral services team for South Kesteven District Council. Application forms can be sent by post to our offices - Council Offices, St Peter's Hill, Grantham, NG31 6PZ or alternatively copies can be sent by email to elections@southkesteven.gov.uk.
If you're thinking about voting by post, you can apply to do this now. This will make sure your application is processed early, and your postal vote can be sent to you more quickly once the candidates for the elections are confirmed.
If you aren't able to cast your vote in person, you can ask someone you trust to cast your vote for you. This is called a proxy vote and the person casting your vote is often referred to as your proxy. The person voting on your behalf can either go to your polling station to cast your vote, or can apply to vote for you by post.
To apply for a proxy vote, complete the form to vote by proxy, explaining why you can't get to your polling station in person.
How do I register to vote?
To vote in any election in the UK, you must be registered to vote. It takes 5 minutes to register and you can do this online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote
If you're unable to register online, you can apply by post. You can download the relevant forms at www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/register-vote-and-update-your-details or you can contact our elections team to request a form on 01476 406080.
Is voting by post safe?
Yes, voting by post is safe and proven cases of electoral fraud are rare. When voting by post, you should mark your vote on the ballot paper in secret, and seal the envelope yourself.
You will also be asked to give your date of birth and signature when applying for a postal or proxy vote. This makes postal voting safe, because when you return your postal voting pack your signature and date of birth are checked against those you provided before to confirm your identity.
Your signature and date of birth are separated from your ballot paper before it is looked at or counted, so giving this information will not affect the secrecy of your vote.
How are you making polling stations safe?
We are putting arrangements in place to help ensure polling stations are safe places to vote. You can expect many of the measures you've become used to over recent months in shops and banks, such as hand sanitiser, floor markings and face coverings.
We will continue our discussions with public health authorities as we prepare for the elections to make sure we are following the most up to date guidance. We will continue to update this page as more information and guidance becomes available.
Will I need to bring my own pen or pencil?
Guidance in this area is still being developed, but you are always welcome to use your own pen or pencil. We are working with the UK's governments, members of the electoral community and public health authorities to help ensure polling station are safe places to vote at the May 2021 elections.
We will update this page with new information as it becomes available.
Is it safer to vote by post, instead of going in person?
We are working hard to ensure that polling stations will be safe places to vote in May, but you can choose to apply to vote by post or by proxy instead.
What should I do if I find out closer to the time that I need to self-isolate, or my area goes into a local lockdown?
We want to make sure that everyone who is entitled to vote is able to do so, regardless of the pandemic. We will be providing more information nearer the time on how you can vote if you need to self-isolate, or live in an area under local lockdown.
You do have different options for voting at the May 2021 elections - you can vote in person, by post or by proxy. You can find more information on: www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter.
Polling Stations
A complete list of all polling stations within South Kesteven for the elections on 6 May 2021 can be viewed below
Polling Stations List 6 May 2021 [67kb]
For these elections, a number of the polling station locations have changed from previous elections. A list of the polling station changes can be viewed below.
Proposed Polling Station Changes 2021 [226kb]
Voter information - Registering and Postal and Proxy Voting
Register to Vote
If you are unsure if you are registered to vote, contact our Electoral Services team on 01476 406080 or email elections@southkesteven.gov.uk.
If you haven't already registered, you can register to vote online. The deadline to register for the May elections is Monday 19 April 2021.
Poll cards will be sent to all registered electors on 22 March 2021.
Postal and Proxy Voting
If you are unable to vote at your polling station on polling day you can choose to apply to vote by post or by proxy (appointing someone else to vote at the polling station for you).
The deadline to applying for a postal vote or to change/cancel an existing postal or proxy appointment is 5pm on Tuesday 20 April 2021.
The deadline for applying for a proxy vote is 5pm on 27 Tuesday April 2021.
Application forms can be downloaded from https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/how-cast-your-vote. You do not need to wait until you receive your poll card to apply - if you would prefer to vote by post at these elections, you can apply at any time.
How to submit a postal or proxy application
Postal and proxy vote applications cannot be completed online and must signed and returned to the Electoral Registration Officer, South Kesteven District Council, Council Offices, St Peter's Hill, Grantham NG31 6PZ and be received by the deadlines above to be effective for the May elections. Signed copies can also be sent by email to elections@southkesteven.gov.uk.
If you can't or don't want to vote at your polling station on polling day, make sure you get your application to us as early as possible.
Contact our elections team on 01476 406080 or email elections@southkesteven.gov.uk for further help or guidance.
Despatch of Postal Ballot Papers
If you apply for a postal vote, your postal vote will be sent out on the following dates:
- If we have received and accepted your postal vote application by 9 April, your postal vote will be despatched 19/20 April;
- If we receive your application after 9 April and before the deadline of 5pm on 20 April, your postal vote pack will be despatched 25 April 2021.