On Thursday, 7 May 2026, millions of voters across the UK will participate in an election cycle rivaling the scale of the 2024 general election. This pivotal date will see Scots and Welsh citizens choosing their representatives for their national parliaments, while English voters head to the polls for numerous local council and mayoral contests.
Notably, the government reversed plans to delay elections in 30 English councils, reinstating these local contests this May. Meanwhile, Northern Ireland’s local council and Assembly elections remain scheduled for 2027.
England’s Local Council and Mayoral Elections: What to Expect
More than 5,000 seats across 136 local councils will be contested in England, following the government’s decision to scrap the postponement of elections in 30 authorities. Initially set for delay until 2027, these elections will now proceed as planned, after legal challenges and advice influenced the government to reverse course.
Local election officials warn councils face a daunting task preparing for these polls on short notice. The initial delay aimed to facilitate a sweeping reform of local government structures, replacing the traditional two-tier district and county council system with streamlined unitary authorities.
Opposition parties criticized the delay, and the Electoral Commission cautioned that postponements risked undermining public trust in the democratic process.
In addition to council elections, six mayoral races will take place simultaneously in Croydon, Hackney, Lewisham, Newham, Tower Hamlets, and Watford. Conversely, mayoral elections for Cumbria, Cheshire & Warrington have been postponed until 2027, with others in Greater Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk, Hampshire and the Solent, and Sussex and Brighton deferred until 2028.
Voters will cast one vote per seat available in their ward or division using the first-past-the-post system, where the candidate with the most votes wins. Local councils play a critical role in delivering services such as elderly and disability care, waste management, housing, education, and road maintenance—areas facing funding pressures that have forced service cuts and raised council taxes.
Scotland’s Parliamentary Election: A Decisive Moment
All 129 Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) will be elected on 7 May, shaping the nation’s governance on vital issues like health, education, policing, and taxation. Of these, 73 MSPs represent constituencies and 56 are regional representatives chosen across eight regions.
Scottish voters receive two ballot papers: one to select their constituency MSP through a first-past-the-post vote, and a second to choose regional MSPs via a proportional representation system. This mixed approach balances direct local representation with broader party proportionality, allocating regional seats based on party vote share and constituency wins.
The party securing the most MSPs typically forms the government, with its leader becoming First Minister. Since its establishment in 1999, Holyrood has expanded its powers beyond Scotland’s distinct legal and educational systems to include health, housing, policing, prisons, transport, welfare, and some taxation.
Wales’ Senedd Election: The Largest Expansion in Decades
The 2026 Senedd election marks the most significant transformation since Wales gained devolved powers in 1999. The number of Members of the Senedd (MSs) will jump from 60 to 96, elected from 16 newly defined constituencies.
Parties may field up to eight candidates per constituency, and independent candidates can also stand. Voters select one party or independent candidate, with seats allocated in proportion to the votes each receives.
While the largest party is expected to lead the Welsh government, no party has ever achieved an outright majority, and this new system makes a majority even less likely. MSs nominate and elect the First Minister, requiring a majority vote if multiple candidates stand.
Since its inception as the National Assembly for Wales in 1999 and its renaming as Senedd Cymru (Welsh Parliament) in 2020, the body has authority over health, education, transport, agriculture, and certain tax powers.
How to Participate: Voting Procedures and Deadlines
Voters can cast their ballots in three ways:
- In person at local polling stations on election day, 7 May, between 07:00 and 22:00 BST
- By postal vote
- By proxy, authorizing someone else to vote on their behalf
Eligibility requires registration at a local address within the relevant voting area. The minimum voting age is 18 for English local elections and 16 for Scottish Parliament and Senedd elections. Eligible voters include British, Irish, and qualifying foreign nationals, with specific rules depending on election type.
Innovative voting pilots in parts of England—Milton Keynes, Cambridge, North Hertfordshire, and Tunbridge Wells—allow voters to cast ballots at multiple locations or before election day, enhancing accessibility.
Crucial Registration and ID Requirements
To vote in person on 7 May, registration must be completed by 23:59 BST on Monday, 20 April. Registration can be completed online using a National Insurance number or by contacting local electoral offices.
Postal and proxy voting systems require renewal every three years. Any arrangements made before 31 October 2023 have expired. The deadline to apply for a postal vote is 17:00 BST on Tuesday, 21 April, and for proxy votes, 17:00 BST on Tuesday, 28 April.
In England, voters must present valid photo ID at polling stations. Acceptable identification includes passports, driving licences, and even expired photo IDs if the voter remains recognizable. Those lacking appropriate ID or whose appearance differs significantly from their photo can apply for a free voter authority certificate by 17:00 BST on Tuesday, 28 April.
Scottish Parliament and Senedd voters do not require photo ID to vote in person.
