ELECTION day in the North East is just over a month away and it promises to be a hugely significant one for the region.

As well as a variety of local council elections being staged, May 2 will also see voters choose who will become the first-ever North East mayor.

Below is the key information you need to know about what elections are being held in your area and how to make sure you can cast your ballot.
 
What elections are being held in the North East this year?
There are a variety of different elections happening across Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, and Durham this May.

The biggest of those is the election of the new North East mayor – which will be open to voters across Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland, South Tyneside and Sunderland.

It is the first time that such an election is being held, following the agreement of a new multi-billion pound devolution deal for the region.

Local council elections are being held in the five Tyne and Wear councils, which are Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, South Tyneside and Sunderland.

For most of those, a third of the seats on each council will be up for grabs – one for each ward, though there are two vacancies in the Newcastle ward of Fawdon and West Gosforth.

READ MORE: Taxpayers to foot £3 million historic election bill

But in North Tyneside this year marks an ‘all-out’ election following boundary changes, meaning that all 60 seats on the local authority are being contested.

There are also police and crime commissioner (PCC) elections happening on May 2.

Voters in Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland, South Tyneside and Sunderland will go to the polls to choose the next PCC for the Northumbria force area.

And those in County Durham and Darlington will elect a PCC for the Durham Constabulary area.
 
When is polling day?
Election day is on Thursday, May 2 and the polls will be open from 7am to 10pm.
 
When will the results be announced?
While polling day is on May 2, there are a variety of different times for the various election counts.

Counting in four of the local council elections will start after the polls close at 10pm on that Thursday, with the results expected to be announced in the early hours of Friday morning in Newcastle, Gateshead, South Tyneside, and Sunderland.

The counts for the North East mayor and Northumbria PCC will both be held during the day on the Friday, with the declarations for both due to be made in Sunderland.

The Durham PCC count is also due to be held on Friday, May 3, with a declaration expected around 5pm.

North Tyneside Council’s local election count is scheduled to start at 10am on Saturday, May 4, and finish by 4pm.
 
When is the deadline for registering to vote?
The deadline to register to vote in these elections is midnight (11.59pm) on Tuesday, April 16.
 
Can I get a postal vote?
Registered electors can also apply for a postal vote, before the deadline of 5pm on Wednesday, April 17. 

The deadline to apply to vote by proxy is 5pm on Wednesday, April 24. 
 
Do I need ID to vote?
Yes, voters will need to show photo ID at their polling station. This follows the introduction of a new law which came into force before the local elections in May 2023.

Accepted forms of ID include a passport or driving licence, while anyone who does not have an appropriate form of ID can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate.

The deadline to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate is 5pm on Wednesday, April 24.

Sunderland City Council chief executive Patrick Melia, who is the returning officer for the North East Mayoral Combined Authority and the Northumbria PCC area, said: “Elections are always important opportunities for people to give their views on what matters to them and the issues that directly affect day-to-day and public life. If you’re not on the electoral register then you are missing an opportunity to have your voice heard through the ballot box. Before the May elections, and also with a general election getting closer, it is important that people are registered so their voice is heard.”

He added: “If you have turned 18, or if you have moved home recently, now is the time to ensure that you are registered to vote. It takes just five minutes to register and it means that you can take part in these elections and the general election. And, please do not forget if you are going to the polling station on Thursday, May 2, there are laws meaning you must have an acceptable form of photo ID. Please bring ID such as your driving licence or passport, or your Voter Authority Certificate so that you can cast your vote.”