Elections
2026 Local Elections - key dates for voters
Published on
Walsall Council is reminding residents to make sure they are registered to vote so they can take part in the upcoming Local Elections on Thursday 7 May 2026.
In order to vote, residents must be on the electoral register and, if they are voting in a polling station, have a valid form of voter ID.
The deadline to register to vote is midnight on Monday 20 April 2026.
To register to vote, apply online on the gov.uk website.
For more information, visit the gov.uk Vote UK Election webpage.
Residents can also apply for a postal vote or a proxy vote (appointing someone to vote on their behalf). The deadline to apply for a postal vote is 5pm on Tuesday 21 April 2026. Residents who have registered for a postal vote will normally get their ballot papers between 5 to 10 days before the date of the Local Elections. The deadline to apply for a proxy vote is 5pm on Tuesday 28 April 2026.
For further information, or to make an application for a postal or proxy vote, visit the electoral commission website.
There will be 123 polling stations across the borough, and they will be open from 7am until 10pm on Thursday 7 May 2026. The Count will take place on Friday 8 May 2026 and it is anticipated that results will be declared between 5pm and 6.30pm.
When voting in person, please remember to take your voter ID with you to the polling station. This applies to everyone who votes in person or by proxy. Suitable photographic ID accepted at the polling station includes a UK passport or driving licence. Find a full list of acceptable identification on the electoral commission website.
If you don’t have any suitable ID, you can apply for a free vote authority certificate on the gov.uk website.
The deadline to apply for a free voter authority certificate is 5pm on Tuesday 28 April 2026.
“ Registering to vote is a simple but important step in taking part in local democracy. We want to make sure that everyone who is eligible to vote is able to do so, and I would encourage residents to check their registration details as soon as possible. If you have turned 18, or if you have moved home recently, it’s particularly important that you act now to ensure you are registered. “
This time, all 60 seats in the borough are up for re-election in what is known as an all out election. This is due to a change in ward boundaries, as part of the recent review by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE), and all seats will be up for re-election to avoid having Councillors on old and new boundaries simultaneously. After this election, Walsall will revert to electing in thirds, as directed by the LGBCE.
Nominations for candidates will close at 4pm on Thursday 9 April 2026, and the names of candidates will be confirmed and published on the council website by 4pm on Friday 10 April 2026.
Key dates:
- Deadline to register to vote: midnight on Monday 20 April 2026
- Deadline to apply for a postal vote: 5pm on Tuesday 21 April 2026
- Deadline to apply for a proxy vote: 5pm on Tuesday 28 April 2026
- Deadline to apply for free photo ID certificate: 5pm on Tuesday 28 April 2026
- Polling Day: 7am to 10pm on Thursday 7 May 2026.
- Counting and declarations: Friday 8 May 2026.
If in doubt, residents can check their registration details by giving the Election Office a call on 01922 652502 or emailing electionoffice@walsall.gov.uk
For more information, please visit the council website or contact the Electoral Services team.
Please follow the council’s social media accounts on Facebook and X for the latest news and information about this year’s Local Elections.
