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.