In its weekly voxpop, the Advertiser found out if yesterday people headed to the polling stations to vote and why.
Yesterday (May 2) voters across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire got to elect the first mayor of the new Combined County Authority.
An election for Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner was also held on the same day.
Between 7am and 10pm, people headed to polling stations to elect the ones they think represent their wants and needs the most.
But did people vote? And why did they?
Anne Pickering said: “I always vote and I will always vote on anything. The fight for the women to get the vote and if you complain about a situation but you don’t vote for a change there’s not much point is there?”
Alison Hyke said: “I think it is important to vote and hopefully we will get back in time to vote when we get back home.
“Hopefully we will get the person who is most likely to be what everyone wants.”
John Smith said: “I will not be voting because it makes no difference, it is a waste of time.”
Ken Young: “I have voted because with the options there we need to go and guide and vote for what we think it is right.”
The new Combined County Authority follows a devolution deal being signed with the Government to divert some decision-making powers from Westminster to the region.
The mayor will have authority to make more major decisions, similar to West Midlands mayor Andy Street or Greater Manchester’s Andy Burnham.
“Maybe, I am not sure if I am going to vote. It is a hard question and discussion that I could get on for a long time,” said Tracy Knott.
Charlie Bains said: “I just won’t vote because what will it change? Have you seen the state of our town? Hardly any shops are open, there is nothing for anyone.
“The state of the economy is terrible and the villages are even worse.
“So voting won’t change anything, but whoever gets in will be busy furbishing their own little pad, as simple as that, they are doing it for themselves.
“But it doesn’t matter what I say because I won’t change anything.”
People were able to cast their votes for both positions at the same time.
The counting is being held today (May 3) and results are expected to be released throughout the day.
“If you don’t vote you can’t blame anybody who is not doing what you want them to do,” said couple Pamela and Ken Hallway.
