Polling stations are open across Sheffield with polls suggesting the Labour party could lose seats and potentially control of the city council.
People across the city have the opportunity today to go out and cast their vote for who they want to represent them in the local elections.
Labour is currently the lead party in Sheffield with 36 councillors, which makes up 40% of the council.
Reports suggest Labour could see its worst-ever performance in local elections, with polling guru Lord Robert Hayward warning the party could lose more than 1,000 seats nationally.
The website PollCheck has predicted Labour could lose eight seats while Reform UK and the Greens are expected to make gains.
The Prime Minister has acknowledged the elections will be a “challenge” but urged voters to “choose unity over division”.
Labour Councillor Tom Hunt, the leader of Sheffield City Council, said in a social media post yesterday: “This election is not about Westminster, it is about our city and our streets.
“Vote to reject hate and division, vote for unity and a practical plan to get things done.”
The 2024 elections only saw a 34% overall turnout nationally and 32.7% locally which suggests council seats could be won based on people choosing not to vote.
ShefLive spoke to voters at a polling station in Endcliffe on Thursday morning.
Dave Jones, 72 from Endcliffe said: “if you don’t vote, you don’t have a say in how things are organised, so I think it’s very important to vote.
“You cannot complain if you don’t like the ways things are.”
Billie Hampshire, 19, Sheffield student told Sheff live the voting process is “straightforward” and said, “voting gives people a taste in how they decide how society is run.”
Polling stations are open across Sheffield between 7am-10pm and voters can vote anytime between that window.
If you registered to vote your polling station will be written on your poll card, which should have been sent to you by the local council.
If you are in the queue before 10pm you still have the right to vote and do not have to leave the line.
