05 May Update: Council and PCC elections in Essex
Seats on Basildon, Brentwood, Castle Point, Harlow, Southend-on-Sea, Thurrock, Colchester and Rochford councils are being contested.
A police and crime commissioner (PCC) for Essex will also be elected.
Polling stations opened at 07:00 BST and will close at 22:00.
Across England, elections are being held at more than 120 councils.
There will also be elections for 36 PCCs.
The candidates for PCC are:
Roger Hirst (Conservative)
Chris Vince (Labour)
Bob Spink (UKIP)
Martin Terry (Zero Tolerance Policing ex Chief)
Kevin McNamara (Liberal Democrat)
