Voters go to the polls on Thursday, May 5, for a series of crucial local elections. They could spell doom for beleaguered Boris Johnson or prolong his tenure as Prime Minister if they go better than expected for the Conservatives.
Votes are being held in five areas in Tyne and Wear - Newcastle, Gateshead, North Tyneside, South Tyneside and Sunderland.
All of those Labour-run councils hold their elections on a rolling basis, with only a third of their seats up being contested each time – one in each ward, plus any other vacancies that have arisen if councillors have resigned before the end of their term.
Read more: Local elections 2022: What to expect in the North East as Labour's dominance faces more challenges
There are 27 seats up for grabs in Newcastle, 22 in Gateshead, 20 in North Tyneside, 19 in South Tyneside, and 24 in Sunderland. One of the original 25 scheduled Sunderland polls, in the Copt Hill ward, has been postponed after one of the candidates died.
No seats are up for grabs in County Durham or Northumberland, which both hold elections every four years for the entire council and did so last in 2021.
When do polls open?
Polling stations are open from 7am to 10pm on Thursday, May 5. You can only cast your vote at the polling station you are registered at, the details of which will be printed on your poll card.
The deadlines for registering to vote, applying for a postal vote, and applying for a proxy vote have now passed.
Where is my local polling station?
Newcastle voters can find their nearest polling station by using the Democracy Club's polling station finder here or by checking their poll card.
Gateshead voters can find out where their nearest polling station is by clicking here and entering their post code.
North Tyneside residents can locate their polling station here and entering their postcode.
South Tyneside residents can find out where to vote here and entering their postcode
Sunderland residents can find their local polling station from a full list here.
W hen you get to the polling station
Give your name and address to the staff inside the polling station when you arrive. You do not have to take your poll card with you. You’ll be given a ballot paper containing a list of the people, parties or the options you can vote for.
F illing in your ballot paper
Take your ballot paper into a polling booth. Follow the instructions on the notices in the polling booth and on the top of the ballot paper to vote. Put it in the ballot box.
