East Devon voters will go to the polls on Thursday, with every seat on the district council being contested. 

In total, 60 councillors will be elected across 30 wards. Over 130 candidates are standing, including members of the Conservatives, Labour, Liberal Democrats and Green Party.

Dozens of others are standing as Independents with no party ties, and the Heritage Party and Liberal Party each have one candidate standing.

Those who are elected will represent their wards, help shape and review council policy and scrutinise decisions taken by councillors on the executive or in the Cabinet.

They will be expected to respond to residents’ queries and concerns, be aware of problems within their communities, work with local organisations and businesses and express their views at meetings.

On the same day, there will also be four contested parish elections, plus 73 that are uncontested and six that have not received any nominations. There are five town council wards where an election will take place.

Who is standing for election?

The Sidmouth Herald, Exmouth Journal and Midweek Herald have compiled lists of candidates over the past few weeks and given them the chance to introduce themselves and share their policies:

When can I vote - and where?

Polling stations will open between 7am and 10pm on Thursday, May 4.

The address of your polling station will be listed on your poll card, or it can be found online by entering your postcode on wheredoivote.co.uk.

People had until April 17 to register to vote. The council accepted applications to vote by post until April 18 and for proxy votes until April 25.

Do I need to bring ID?

Voters must remember to bring a valid form of ID to their polling station, such as a driving license, passport, Blue Badge or an older or disabled person’s bus pass.

People who did not have an acceptable ID could apply for a Voter Authority Certificate until April 25.

In total, 219 residents - which is 0.18 per cent of East Devon's electorate - applied for a Voter Authority Certificate before the deadline, including 26 on deadline day.

The full list of accepted voter IDs can be found online: eastdevon.gov.uk/elections-and-registering-to-vote/voter-id-2023/accepted-forms-of-photo-id.

What's the national picture?

More than 8,000 seats will be contested at 230 councils across England on Thursday.

In total, the Conservatives are defending 3,363 seats compared to Labour's 2,140, the Liberal Democrats' 1,221 and the Green Party's 240.

Mayoral elections are also taking place in Bedford, Leicester, Mansfield and Middlesbrough - but there are no votes taking place in Scotland or Wales.

People living in Northern Ireland will go to the polls on May 18 for 11 council elections.