Voting

The City Council has 52 Councillors, representing 22 different areas called wards. Thirteen wards have three Councillors; the other nine being represented by either one or two Councillors. All Councillors are elected to serve for a period of four years but may resign from the Council at any time. They may also stand for re-election when their term of office expires.

About one third of the total number of Councillors retires each year when either 17 or 18 seats are up for election, except every fourth year when Cumbria County Council elections take place. (County Councillors also serve for four years but all retire at the same time. The next County elections are in 2013).

Parish Council elections follow the cycle of elections in the rural wards of the City.

Parliamentary general elections must be held at least once every five years. The last general election was in May 2010.  Elections to the European Parliament take place every five years - the last European election was held in 2009.

The regular City, County and Parish Council elections are held on the first Thursday in May. By-elections may also take place at any time to fill casual vacancies that may arise e.g. following the resignation of a Councillor.

Postal and Proxy Voting

Electors who wish to vote by post or proxy need to apply in writing and must provide their date of birth and a specimen of their signature.  Application forms can be obtained from Electoral Services (Tel. 01228 817555 or 817556; e-mail: elections@carlisle.gov.uk), or by calling at Customer Services in the Civic Centre.

Postal vote application forms can also be downloaded.