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Types of election

There are six different types of election held in England. These are detailed below.

 

Parish council elections

These elections are held every four years.  Parish councillors are responsible for services such as allotments, bus shelters, cemeteries, community centres, footpaths, public clocks, public toilets, recreation facilities and war memorials. Cheltenham has five parish councils:

How are the votes counted?

The first past the post voting system is used for Parish council elections. This means the candidate with the most votes is elected; they do not need to get more than half of the votes cast.  If there is a tie then a candidate is selected by the drawing of lots (a method of selection by chance such as tossing a coin or picking a name out of a hat).

Cheltenham Borough Council elections

The borough council elections are held every two years. Cheltenham Borough Council is responsible for services such as collection of council tax and business rates, planning, licensing and waste and recycling.

You can find out more about what Cheltenham Borough Council does.

Who am I voting for?

Cheltenham Borough is split up into 20 different wards. Each ward having two elected representatives. There are 40 councillors in total serving Cheltenham Borough Council.

How are the votes counted?

The first past the post voting system is used for Borough Council elections. This means the candidate with the most votes is elected; they do not need to get more than half of the votes cast.  If there is a tie then a candidate is selected by the drawing of lots (a method of selection by chance such as tossing a coin or picking a name out of a hat).

County council elections

The elections for Gloucestershire County Council take place every four years. Gloucestershire County Council is responsible for services such as libaries, public highways, education, health and social care.

You can find out more about what Gloucestershire County County does.

Who am I voting for?

Within Cheltenham there are 10 electoral divisions, each consisting of two borough wards. Each division elects one county councillor.

How are the votes counted?

The first past the post voting system is used for county council elections. This means the candidate with the most votes is elected; they do not need to get more than half of the votes cast.  If there is a tie then a candidate is selected by the drawing of lots (a method of selection by chance such as tossing a coin or picking a name out of a hat).

Police and Crime Commissioner elections

Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) elections are held every four years. The Police and Crime Commissioner is responsible for the police budget, holding the Chief Constable to account, voicing the concerns of the public and the overall goal of reducing crime.

Find out more about the work of the Gloucestershire Police and Crime Commissioner.

Who am I voting for?

Cheltenham is one of six authorities which votes for the Police and Crime Commissioner for the Gloucestershire police area.

How are the votes counted?

Police and Crime Commissioner elections previously used the Supplementary Vote (SV) system, where voters could choose a first and second choice vote. Now, voters will choose a single candidate on the ballot paper. This is the same system as UK Parliamentary elections and local elections in England.

Parliamentary (general) elections

Parliamentary elections are usually held every five years. Electors can vote for a Member of Parliament (MP) to sit in the House of Commons in Westminster and represent their interests and concerns. MPs consider and can propose new laws as well as raising issues that matter in the House. This includes asking government ministers questions about current issues including those which affect Cheltenham.

Who am I voting for?

Cheltenham constituency is made up of 20 borough wards and has one constituency. Each constituency in the UK elects one MP. Due to boundary changes the following wards and polling districts come under Tewkesbury Constituency for Paliamentary elections;

  • GC (from Hesters Way Ward)
  • LD (from Pittville Ward)
  • MA (from Prestbury Ward)
  • MB (from Prestbury Ward)
  • Springbank Ward
  • Swindon Village Ward

How are the votes counted?

The first past the post voting system is used for Parliamentary (general) elections. This means the candidate with the most votes is elected; they do not need to get more than half of the votes cast.  If there is a tie then a candidate is selected by the drawing of lots (a method of selection by chance such as tossing a coin or picking a name out of a hat).

It is important to vote so you can have a say in who represents you which helps you to influence the decisions that affect you.

 

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