Local Council Elections

The next Local Council Elections will be held on 7 May 2026. 

Key dates to remember

  • Monday 26 March - Publication of Notice of Election
  • Thursday 9 April (4pm) - Close of Nominations
  • Friday 10 April (4pm) - Publication of statement of persons nominated including Notice of Poll and Situation of Polling Stations
  • Monday 20 April - Deadline to register to vote 
  • Tuesday 21 April (5pm) - Deadline for the receipt of new postal vote applications and cancelling or amending an existing one
  • Tuesday 28 April (5pm) - Deadline to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate and deadline for the receipt of proxy vote applications
  • Thursday 30 April - First day to issue replacement postal votes
  • Thursday 7 May (7am - 10pm) - Polling Day

Eligibility

To vote in the Local Council Elections, you must:

  • be registered to vote  
  • be 18 or over on the day of the election 
  • be a British citizens, qualifying EU citizens, EU citizens with retained rights and qualifying Commonwealth citizens
  • not be legally excluded from voting. 

How to vote 

You can:

If you are voting in person, you must bring photo ID to vote.

Get further information on Voter ID

If you do not have a form of acceptable voter ID, you can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate (VAC) before 5pm on Tuesday 28 April 2026 

Apply for a VAC

Finding your polling station

You will receive a poll card in the post with the details of your designated polling station.

You can search for your polling station using our polling station finder.

Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm on Thursday 7 May 2026.

Remember to bring acceptable photo ID when you go to vote.

How to complete your ballot paper 

Follow the Instruction on the top of your ballot paper. Mark a cross next the candidate(s) of your choice.

Information for potential candidates and election agents

Get information on standing as a candidate at the Local Council Elections

Candidates are required to submit the following to the Returning Officer (RO):

  • a completed nomination and nomination consent form which can be obtained from the RO
  • a certificate of authorisation from the registered political party’s nominating officer (if standing as the candidate for a political party)
  • a signed request to using a registered political party’s emblem on the ballot paper (if doing so)

Download a nominations pack

Nomination papers must be hand delivered to the RO, Town Hall, Main Road, Romford, RM1 3BD on any working day after the publication of the Notice of Election between 10am and 4pm (excluding bank holidays) but no later than 4pm on Thursday 9 April 2026. 

Information sessions

In the lead-up to the publication of the Notice of Election, the London Borough of Havering will hold information sessions for prospective candidates who wish to receive further information on the following topics.

  1. How the Council works and what happens at a Council meeting
  2. Member/officer relations 
  3. Election candidate issues

To book an appointment for an informal review of your nomination paper, or to reserve a place at the next available information session, please contact Zena Smith on 01708 431585 or zena.smith@havering.gov.uk.

Electoral Commission webinar for candidates and agents

Ahead of May’s local government elections that are taking place in England, the Electoral Commission are hosting a webinar for candidates and agents on Wednesday 4 March 2026, 12noon to 1pm.

It will provide an overview of the key aspects of the guidance and is an opportunity to gain essential information on the nominations processes, imprint requirements, spending and reporting requirements and candidate security.

The session will contain practical hints and tips to support your understanding of your obligations and how to apply the law in practice.

There will also be an opportunity to ask questions throughout the session.

If you are aware of any potential candidates and agents who may benefit from attending this webinar please share this information with them.

If you would like to register, please complete the event form.

If you have any questions about this event or would like further advice, please contact pef@electoralcommission.org.uk.