Don’t forget to vote today – Thursday, May 3

Local elections are taking place today – here’s all you need to know.

The local elections are for you to choose who represents you on your local council – and every vote counts.

This year, every seat is up at Blackburn with Darwen Council, along with some changes to Council wards. This follows a review by the Boundary Commission.

This means that the number of Councillors is changing from 64 to 51, and the number of wards is changing from 23 to 17.

You will need to vote for all three candidates in your ward. Some wards have also changed name – you can check out all election information at: www.blackburn.gov.uk.

Polling stations across the borough will open from 7am to 10pm. You can find yours by going to: yourvotematters.co.uk

If you are in a queue at your polling station at 10pm you will be allowed to vote.

Parents are allowed to bring children with them when they go to vote. If you are a first-time voter, the polling station staff will be happy to help. If you are disabled, you can ask the Presiding Officer to help mark your ballot paper for you. You can also ask someone else you know to help you. If you have a visual impairment, you can ask to see a large print ballot paper.

If you’ve applied for a postal vote but haven’t sent back your ballot paper, you can hand it in at a polling station in your area by 10pm on polling day.