Local elections will take place across Surrey on Thursday 7 May 2026. These elections are part of a major change to local government in Surrey. Voters will elect councillors to the two new unitary councils being created under local government reorganisation (LGR).
The two new councils will be East Surrey Council and West Surrey Council. If you live in the current borough of Elmbridge, you will have the opportunity to vote in the East Surrey Council elections.
East Surrey Council will have 72 councillors made up of two councillors for each of its 36 wards. There will be 18 councillors across 9 wards representing Elmbridge’s geographic area. New council wards will follow the new county council divisional boundaries.
Who can vote
To vote in the East Surrey Council elections you must:
- be registered to vote
- be 18 or over on 7 May 2026
- be a British, Irish or qualifying Commonwealth or qualifying EU citizen
- be resident at an address in the UK
- live in the East Surrey unitary area (currently one of the following districts or boroughs: Elmbridge, Epsom and Ewell, Mole Valley, Reigate and Banstead or Tandridge).
For more information see who can register to vote.
Register to vote
If you are currently registered to vote within Elmbridge, you do not need to re-register.
The deadline to register to vote in the East Surrey Council elections is midnight on Monday 20 April 2026.
You can register to vote on the GOV.UK website.
For more information see register to vote.
Poll cards
If you are registered to vote, we will send you a poll card about a month before the election. This will have information about the election, including your polling station.
If you do not receive a poll card, or you have recently moved, you may not be registered to vote.
How to vote
You can vote:
- by post
- by proxy
- in a polling station on polling day
Vote by post
If you are currently registered to vote by post within Elmbridge, you do not need to reapply.
The deadline to apply to vote by post in the East Surrey Council elections is 5pm on Tuesday 21 April 2026.
Apply to vote by post on GOV.UK
See vote by post for more information.
Vote by proxy
If you are currently registered to vote by proxy within Elmbridge, you do not need to reapply.
The deadline to apply to vote by proxy in the East Surrey Council elections is 5pm on Tuesday 28 April 2026.
Apply to vote by proxy on GOV.UK
See vote by proxy for more information.
Vote at your polling station
Information on polling stations will be available soon. See polling stations for more information.
Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm on Thursday 7 May 2026.
Remember to bring accepted voter photo ID.
We offer a range of help for disabled voters at polling stations.
Voter photo ID
You must show an approved form of photo ID to vote at a polling station.
If you don't have accepted photo ID, you can apply for a free voter ID document, called a Voter Authority Certificate.
The deadline to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate for voting in the East Surrey Council elections is 5pm on Tuesday 28 April 2026.
Apply for Voter Authority Certificate on GOV.UK
How to complete the ballot paper
Always read the instructions on how to complete the ballot paper carefully, even if you have voted before. The ballot paper lists the name of each of the parties and candidates along with their party logo (if any).
Result
The count will take place on Friday 8 May 2026 and results are expected to be declared in the late afternoon.
The election result will be available from this web page once it has been declared.
Notices
Election notices will be published here. See the election timetable (Future Surrey) for more details.
Candidates and agents
The Electoral Commission - candidates and agents outlines eligibility to stand for election in each type of poll and publishes comprehensive guidance and resources for candidates and agents for all polls. This includes rules on spending, donations and campaigning.
Contact electoral services for advice on electoral deadlines and procedures, or for any other election questions.
Press enquiries
If you are a member of the press, you can confirm details of the count venue by contacting electoral services.
If you have a press enquiry, please contact communications@elmbridge.gov.uk.
More information
Visit Future Surrey: local elections May 2026 for more information on elections in Surrey.
Visit the Future Surrey LGR hub for more information on local government reorganisation.
For more elections information see the Electoral Commission.