AFTER 2019 was a year where it felt like people never stopped going to the polls, 2020 was totally different, with not a single election taking place in Devon and Cornwall.

The proposed local elections and Police and Crime Commissioner elections for May 2020 were just one of the many things to fall victim to the coronavirus pandemic, and under the Coronavirus Act, no elections will take place until May 6, 2021.

But assuming that they are not cancelled, then residents of Devon when they go to the polls will have a lot of crosses to put against candidates before putting into the ballot box.

As well as the delayed local elections in Exeter and Plymouth, and the PCC elections, the regularly scheduled 2021 Devon County Council elections will take place, as well as a series of delayed by-elections, and Neighbourhood Plan referendums.

So with 2021 about to begin, this is when you will be going to the polls again next year – presumably of course that coronavirus doesn’t cause any further delay to the elections.

DEVON, CORNWALL AND THE ISLES OF SCILLY

On the same day as the local elections in Exeter and Plymouth, everyone in Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly will also have the chance to elect a Police and Crime Commissioner for the region.

That election will take place on Thursday, May 6, and Alison Hernandez, the incumbent, has already been re-selected as the Conservative candidate to continue in her post.

The election Police and Crime Commissioner for the region would normally serve a four year term, but will instead only serve a three year term to ensure the return to the usual electoral cycle.

DEVON COUNTY COUNCIL

The 2021 Devon County Council elections scheduled for Thursday, May 6, 2021, will take place as usual.

The entirety of the 60-strong council will be up for re-election, with 56 ‘single-member’ Electoral Divisions and 2 ‘two-member’ Divisions’.

The current composition of the council consists of 42 Conservatives, 7 Labour, 6 Liberal Democrats, 2 Independents, 1 Green Party, 1 East Devon Alliance and 1 North Devon Liberal.

All elected councillors will serve their usual four year term upon their election.

No elections are scheduled to take place for East Devon, Teignbridge, Torridge, West Devon, or North Devon Councils, with no General Election scheduled to take place either.