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 locally 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 several across Watford and the surrounding areas, including Rickmansworth, Bushey, and neighbouring villages.

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.

See more: List of Hertfordshire County Council election candidates for our area

There are also district/borough council elections for people to vote in today.

A third of seats at both Watford Borough Council and Three Rivers District Council - which are both Liberal Democrat run - are up for grabs, with one extra in Watford due to a by-election in Nascot ward.

See more: List of council candidates for elections in Watford and Three Rivers

There is also a by-election taking place in Bushey North at Hertsmere Borough Council.

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: Conservative policies for 2021 Hertfordshire elections

See more: Labour policies for 2021 Hertfordshire elections

See more: Liberal Democrat policies for 2021 Hertfordshire elections

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 your respective council's website.

When will the results come in?

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.

County council results for Watford, Three Rivers, and Hertsmere are expected to be announced on Saturday, along with Watford borough council results and the by-election in Bushey North.

Counting won't begin for district council seats in Three Rivers until Sunday.

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

We will be providing live coverage on the Observer website this weekend from each of the counts providing results and reaction as it comes in.