Your vote could make a difference now more than ever

ELECTION TURNOUT HAS BEEN PLUMMETING IN NOTTINGHAMSHIRE - BUT THIS TIME REALLY MATTERS

- By OLIVER PRIDMORE

THE Nottinghamshire County Council election. You're probably not bothered. To some extent, despite being an election obsessive myself, I can see why.

Turnout at local elections in Nottinghamshire has been plummeting for some time. The 2005 vote saw a turnout of 62% recorded. By the last election in 2021, this had dropped to 38.3%.

A range of factors have contributed to this historic decline, but another factor which might keep voters at bay has now joined the party ahead of this year's election on May 1. Nottinghamshire County Council is being abolished.

It means that 2025 could well end up being the last election for Nottinghamshire County Council. Heading out to vote for who should represent you on a dying council certainly doesn't sound worth your time.

Yet here's why it is. Firstly, to state an argument often made by those looking to boost council election turnout, your council is likely to have much more of an impact on your day-to-day life than your MP ever will.

Nottinghamshire County Council is responsible for managing social care and running many schools. Perhaps most importantly, this is the council responsible for maintaining all roads outside the city.

I don't want to spend too much time on that oft-made argument though. This year, there is one reason why despite perhaps being the last Nottinghamshire County Council election, it could be one of the most important ever.