2026 England local elections – Quick Guide

The next local elections in England will take place on Thursday 7 May 2026. Voters across England will elect local councillors and, in some areas, directly elected mayors.
Local councillors represent your community and make decisions about local services and spending.

What Are Local Councils?
Local councils are responsible for many services that affect everyday life in your area. These can include:
• Waste collection and recycling
• Local roads and transport
• Housing and planning decisions
• Parks and leisure services
• Local schools and social services (in some council areas)
Different types of councils exist across England (such as county, district, metropolitan, or unitary councils), but they all make decisions about local services and budgets in your community.

You can vote in local elections if you:
• Are 18 or over on election day
• Live in the local council area
• Are registered to vote
You must also be one of the following:
• A UK or Irish citizen
• A qualifying Commonwealth citizen
• An eligible EU citizen resident in the UK

Register to vote here:
https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

Registration deadline: Monday 20 April

If You Can’t Vote in Person
If you are working or unavailable on election day, you can still vote by:
Postal vote – apply before the deadline
Proxy vote – nominate someone you trust to vote on your behalf

Voting Information
Polling date: Thursday 7 May 2026
Polling hours: 7:00am – 10:00pm
You must bring an accepted form of photo ID to vote in person at polling stations in England.

How the Election Works
Across England, voters will elect thousands of local councillors representing their wards or divisions. In 2026, more than 5,000 council seats across over 130 councils are up for election.

In most areas:
You will vote for one or more councillors in your local ward
The candidates with the most votes win (first past the post)
Some wards elect multiple councillors, meaning you may have more than one vote

Find Your Candidates
You can find candidates standing in your local area here:
https://whocanivotefor.co.uk 

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Have a look at our guide for politicians and political parties, share them with your candidates to help them understand the profession. Download here