Where is Petersfield?

The complexities of voting on 6 May 2021

This stuff is complicated

The May 6^th 2021 elections are more complicated than usual, and not only because there are four different elections on the same day.

The boundaries for ‘Petersfield’ (the County division) changed in 2018 to become different from the boundaries of ‘Petersfield’ (the City Ward).

More: the boundaries of ‘Petersfield’ (the City Ward) are also changing on May 6^th 2021, bringing into Petersfield voters who previously would have voted elsewhere, while losing others.

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Through May 5th 2021, there were three different correct answers to the question “Where is Petersfield?”.

This was given some publicity, as it affected and confused many people. Certain voters at both the southern and at the northern ends of Petersfield vote in Petersfield (the County Division), but not in Petersfield (the City Ward) in the City Council Elections.

Some (south) Petersfield Division County voters will vote in Market Ward for the City Council Election. Some (north) Petersfield Division County voters will vote in Abbey Ward for the City Council Election.

Needing more answers?

If you would like even greater clarity, try elections@cambridge.gov.uk (tel. 01223 457048), or the Electoral Registration Officer, Cambridge City Council, PO Box 700, Cambridge CB1 0JH

People who live, work, volunteer or study in Petersfield - however defined! - submitted questions for our Hustings on 25 & 26 April 2021. Answers received from the Petersfield candidates – whether before, during or after the Husings (including recordings of the live events) – are all available on this website.