Polling cards for the 2021 Lincolnshire County Council elections and Police & Crime Commissioner voting are now being delivered to households across South Kesteven.

This means that only a few weeks remain before residents go to the polls. In some areas there are also Town and Parish Council seats, where vacancies have occurred since the last elections.

Full details can be found at the SKDC website www.southkesteven.gov.uk/elections2021

You need to be registered to be able to vote in elections and referendums so for those who do not receive a polling card, or where the details are incorrect, the deadline for registering at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote is 11.59pm on 19 April.

The polling card also lets voters know which polling station to visit to cast their vote – but some locations have changed since the last elections so the card should be checked for those details.

The election process began this week with the publication of the Notice of Election. Candidates now have until 4pm on Thursday 8 April to submit completed nomination papers.

Nomination packs are available from the elections team at South Kesteven District Council which explain the process, the election timetable as well as matters relating to voting, campaigning and count arrangements.

Prospective candidates can submit their nomination papers now for May's elections but can also have them informally checked by the elections team first. Anyone who would like to have their papers checked by the team should email [email protected]

Karen Bradford, Chief Executive and Returning Officer for the district, said: "There is still time for people to put themselves forward as a candidate to represent the community. Public service allows people to raise issues they feel passionate about or use their skills to help shape the future of where they live.

"Nomination papers for the Lincolnshire County Council elections and District and Parish by-elections must be subscribed by a proposer and seconder only, who must be registered local government electors within the area where the candidate is standing for election."

For more information or to request a nomination pack contact Electoral Services at South Kesteven District Council on 01476 406080, email [email protected] or visit our website www.southkesteven.gov.uk/elections2021

To protect candidates, agents and staff during the pandemic SKDC will be limiting the number of people present in the customer services centre at any time. Candidates are requested to book an appointment by contacting the elections team.

• Please can candidates email their details to [email protected]. Please comment on your background, where you are from, current and previous career, what made you stand has a candidate, any appropriate experience, what will your main issues/hopes/ aspirations you will focus on, plus anything else you want to add, any messages you want to get across.