When to expect mayor and council election results in Doncaster

Residents in certain areas will vote for an elected mayor, councillors, parish councillors, a South Yorkshire Police & Crime Commissioner and those in Edenthorpe will also vote in a neighbourhood planning referendum.

The most high profile races will be to elect councillors and a mayor. Doncaster changed the rules in 2016 when they decided to have a four-year fixed-term for all councillors and the mayor.

In wards with a smaller population like Edlington & Warmsworth, residents will elect two councillors but in larger population areas like Bessacarr, three councillors will be chosen.

Polls are open from 7am until 10pm on Thursday and voters heading to the ballot box will need to wear a mask and bring their own pen or pencil.

At present, Labour is the largest party on the council with 41 councillors. The Conservatives are the official opposition party with eight members, five councillors are independents and one from the Yorkshire Party.

Unlike other councils in South Yorkshire where the council leader is chosen from the ruling party, Doncaster’s mayoral vote is separate and is made by the electors instead of councillors.

Polling stations during Covid-19

There will be social distancing measures in place and a limit on the number of people allowed into the polling station at any one time. People may need to wait to be invited in to vote and some may have to queue outside.

Ballot boxes, voting booths and other touch points will be cleaned regularly throughout the day.

Voters will be asked to sanitise hands on the way in and way out of the polling station. Staff will be wearing face coverings and there will be a screen in place at the point where ballot papers are handed over.

Face coverings must be worn (unless exempt)

There will be single use pencils available to mark your ballot papers, but people can bring their own pens or pencils if they choose.

The results

Counting will begin late on Thursday night (May 6) for the mayoral race and the result is expected early on Friday morning (May 7)

Ballots will start being counted from 1pm on Friday (May 7) for councillors and the full results are expected later that afternoon.

To follow live coverage of both counts, follow @GeorgeTorr_ on Twitter and stick with www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk for the results as they come in.

Doncaster mayoral candidates on why you should vote for them

All the candidates standing for election to Doncaster Council

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In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Liam Hoden, editor.