Voters across Hertfordshire and the rest of the country will go to the polls today to elect councillors to represent them over the next four years.

A number of different elections are taking place across the county for different councils, with some elections being delayed by the pandemic.

On election day, here's a rundown of what's happening in Hertsmere and when we can expect the all-important results.

What elections are taking place?

There is a full set of Hertfordshire County Council elections taking place today.

Every single seat is up for grabs with one councillor being selected in each of Hertfordshire's 78 wards including two in Borehamwood, one covering Potters Bar & Shenley, and Watling, which covers Radlett and Elstree.

The county council is currently controlled by the Conservatives and councillors who serve on the county council are responsible for a helping residents on a range of issues including roads, recycling, and schools.

There is also a by-election taking place in Borehamwood Kenilworth for a seat in Hertsmere Borough Council, with a further by-election in Bushey North.

Various seats are also to be filled in Shenley, Aldenham, and South Mimms parish councils, while residents in Radlett and Shenley will be able to vote on whether they support a neighbourhood plan that has been put together, which will help shape development in the respective villages over the coming years. 

A new police and crime commissioner will be elected for Hertfordshire as well. Conservative David Lloyd is hoping to retain his position. He faces competition from Labour's Philip Ross and the Lib Dems' Sam North.

See more: Full list of candidates for 2021 elections across Hertsmere

How do I vote?

Those who have registered to vote can visit their designated polling station to cast a vote on who they would like to see elected as their new councillor - click here to find out where your local polling station is.

It is not possible to vote today if you haven't already registered to vote.

Polling stations will be operating in Covid-secure settings, so visits will be different to normal.

Face coverings must be worn inside a polling station and voters are asked to take their own pen or pencil with them. 

Anyone experiencing Covid symptoms must not visit a polling station.

Many people will have decided to vote by post and postal votes will have been sent home over the last month.

For more details on how to vote and how to vote safely, visit the Hertsmere Borough Council website.

When will the results come in?

Some councils in Hertfordshire have taken the unprecedented step of delaying the counting of votes by 24 hours, to reduce the risk of transmission of coronavirus on ballot papers.

It is based on advice given by Hertfordshire's director of public health, Jim McManus.

So instead of counting taking place overnight soon after polls close at 10pm tonight, counting won't begin until Saturday.

All votes cast for seats in Hertsmere - including county, borough, and parish seats, will be counted on Saturday, with results expected on the same day.

Any election counts not completed on Saturday will be completed on Monday.

All police and crime commissioner votes across Hertfordshire will be counted on Monday.

We will be providing live coverage on the Borehamwood Times website on Saturday from the count in Hertsmere providing results and reaction as it comes in.