Local Elections timetable - Thursday 7 May 2026
We publish a notice of changes on the first working day of each month
This will not happen in the month when the updated register is published, or in the two months before that.
Bank Holidays in 2026
- 1 January – New Year’s Day
- 2 January – Bank Holiday
- 3 April – Good Friday
- 6 April – Easter Monday
- 4 May – Early May Bank Holiday
- 25 May – Spring Bank Holiday
Local Election timetable
| Event | Working days before poll (deadline if not midnight) | Date |
|---|
|
Publication of notice of election
|
-25 days
|
Monday 30 March 2026
|
|
Delivery of nomination papers
|
-19 days
|
From the date stated on the notice of election up to 4pm on the 19th working day before the election.
Thursday 9 April 2026
|
|
Deadline for withdrawals of nomination
|
-19 days (4pm)
|
Thursday 9 April 2026
|
|
Deadline for the notification of appointment of election agent
|
-19 days (4pm)
|
Thursday 9 April 2026
|
|
Publication of first interim election notice of alteration
|
-19 days
|
Thursday 9 April 2026
|
|
Publication of statement of persons nominated
|
Not later than -18 (4pm)
|
Friday 10 April 2026
|
|
Deadline for receiving applications for registration
|
-12
|
Monday 20 April 2026
|
|
Deadline for receiving new postal vote and postal proxy applications, and for changes to existing postal or proxy votes
|
-11 days (5pm)
|
Tuesday 21 April 2026
|
|
Deadline for receiving new applications to vote by proxy (not postal proxy or emergency proxies)
|
-6 days (5pm)
|
Tuesday 28 April 2026
|
|
Last day to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate
|
-6 days (5pm)
|
Tuesday 28 April 2026
|
|
Publication of second interim election notice of alteration
|
Between -18 and -6
|
Friday 10 April 2026 to Tuesday 28 April 2026
|
|
Publication of notice of poll
|
Not later than -6
|
Tuesday 28 April 2026
|
|
Publication of final election notice of alteration
|
-5
|
Wednesday 29 April 2026
|
|
Deadline for notification of appointment of polling and counting agents
|
-5
|
Wednesday 29 April 2026
|
|
First date that electors can apply for replacements for lost postal votes
|
-4
|
Thursday 30 April 2026
|
|
Polling day
|
0 (7am to 10pm)
|
Thursday 7 May 2026
|
|
Last time that electors can apply for a replacement for spoilt or lost postal votes
|
0 (5pm)
|
Thursday 7 May 2026
|
|
Deadline for emergency proxy applications
|
0 (5pm)
|
Thursday 7 May 2026
|
|
Last time to alter the register due to clerical error or court appeal
|
0 (9pm)
|
Thursday 7 May 2026
|
|
Delivery of return as to election expenses
|
Not later than 35 calendar days* after the date the election result is declared
|
Friday 12 June 2026
|
|
Deadline for sending postal vote identifier rejection notices
|
Within three calendar months from the date of the poll
|
By Friday 7 August 2026
|
*If the last day of the period falls on a weekend, bank holiday or any day appointed for public thanksgiving or mourning, in which case the last day moves to the next working day).
Delivery of return as to election expenses (all, excluding parish council elections).
Declaration of results
| If the result is declared | Deadline for return |
|---|
|
Thursday 7 May 2026
|
Thursday 11 June 2026
|
|
Friday 8 May 2026
|
Friday 12 June 2026
|
|
Any declaration made on 9 May 2026 or 10 May 2026
|
Monday 15 June 2026
|
|
Monday 11 May 2026
|
Monday 15 June 2026
|