Londoners are heading back to the ballot box in May 2026 for a set of elections that will shape how the capital is run for years to come. While the mayoral race usually grabs the headlines, it’s London’s council elections that decide who fixes your roads, funds your libraries, approves new housing and empties your bins. Yet for many voters, the basics remain murky: which councils are up, what exactly councillors do, how ward boundaries have changed – and what it all means for their neighbourhoods.
In this guide, Londonist breaks down the essentials of the 2026 London council elections: who’s standing, when and where you’ll be voting, what powers are at stake, and how the shifting political map of the city could redraw local power. Whether you’re a seasoned political watcher or a first‑time voter, here’s what you need to know before polling day.
Key dates and deadlines for voting in the May 2026 London council elections
Circle Thursday 7 May 2026 in your diary: that’s when Londoners go to the polls to choose new councillors – and in some boroughs, directly elected mayors too. But the real action starts weeks earlier. The deadline to register to vote is expected to fall around mid-April 2026 (usually 12 working days before polling day), while applications for postal votes and proxy votes typically close about a week later. Miss those cut-offs and you’ll be limited to turning up in person – and only if you’re already on the electoral register.
On polling day, stations normally open 7am-10pm, but you’ll now need to bring photo ID under the UK-wide rules, so factor that into your commute or evening plans.Official notices from your local council – often tucked away on borough websites or pinned to town hall noticeboards – confirm the precise timings below, but this is the broad shape of the electoral calendar you can expect:
- By early April: Check you’re on the electoral register and update any change of address.
- Mid-April: Final date to register to vote (online and by post).
- Late April: Closing dates for postal and proxy vote applications.
- 7 May 2026: In-person voting, 7am-10pm, with photo ID required.
| Stage | Typical Timing (2026) | What You Do |
|---|---|---|
| Voter registration | By mid-April | Sign up or update details |
| Postal vote request | Late April | Apply via your council or GOV.UK |
| Proxy vote request | Late April | Nominate someone to vote for you |
| Polling day | 7 May 2026 | Vote in person with photo ID |
Who is standing in your borough and how to find out what candidates really stand for
Every one of London’s 32 boroughs plus the City of London will publish an official list of candidates once nominations close – but most residents never look beyond the party logos. To get past the branding, start local: your borough council website hosts the Statement of Persons Nominated, showing every individual standing in your ward, including independents and hyper-local groups you may never have heard of. Pair this with self-reliant tools such as TheyWorkForYou and WriteToThem (for sitting councillors and MPs), then cross-check social media feeds and local press coverage to see how candidates behave when they’re not stuffing leaflets through your door. Look for patterns: who turns up to public meetings, who answers awkward questions, and who only appears when a camera is rolling.
To dig into what contenders actually believe – not just what’s on the glossy flyer – build your own mini-manifesto briefing. Use:
- Ward-level hustings: churches,tenants’ associations and schools frequently enough host Q&A evenings – ask for specifics on housing,transport and cuts.
- Party manifestos vs. personal pledges: candidates’ own websites and newsletters can quietly diverge from national party lines.
- Local issue trackers: community papers, campaign groups and neighbourhood forums frequently enough keep scorecards on votes and pledges.
| Source | What you learn | Red flag |
|---|---|---|
| Council website | Who’s standing, where | Missing contact details |
| Hustings night | How they think on their feet | Dodging direct questions |
| Local press | Track record on big rows | Only appears in photo-ops |
| Campaign leaflets | Headline promises | Vague, cost-free pledges |
How the council elections affect your daily life from housing and transport to local services
Councillors decide how billions of pounds are spent in your borough each year, and those choices shape the streets you walk down every day. From signing off new council homes to deciding whether that controversial tower block gets built at the end of your road, they control the levers on planning rules, rent levels in social housing, and how aggressively the council pursues rogue landlords. They set priorities on everything from mould in flats to street homelessness, and they can choose whether council tax bills creep up or stay frozen. Their decisions don’t happen in a vacuum either: they negotiate with developers,TfL,the Mayor and central government,often trading parking spaces for bike lanes,or extra storeys on a block for a handful of “affordable” flats.
- Housing: where and what gets built,how much is “affordable”,standards in private rentals.
- Transport: cycle lanes, bus priorities, LTNs, Controlled Parking Zones, EV chargers.
- Public realm: bins and recycling, street cleaning, lighting, pocket parks.
- Local services: libraries, youth centres, adult social care, support for small businesses.
- Culture & community: funding for festivals,arts venues,markets and community groups.
| Issue | Council decision might mean… |
|---|---|
| Housing budget | More council homes on your estate – or more temporary accommodation miles away |
| Transport plan | A new bus lane on your commute – or more space handed back to cars |
| Streets & parks | Cleaner streets and new play equipment – or overflowing bins and locked loos |
| Local tax & fees | Higher council tax but better services – or cuts to libraries and youth clubs |
Practical tips for London voters from registration to polling day and what to do if things go wrong
First, make sure you’re actually on the electoral roll: you can register to vote online in a few minutes, and you’ll need your National Insurance number and current London address. Check your registration status if you’ve moved boroughs or flats since the last election, as council tax records don’t automatically update your voter details. Once registered, look out for your poll card – it’s not essential to bring it, but it makes life easier at the polling station. Decide early whether you’ll vote in person,by post,or via proxy if you’re working shifts,travelling,or have caring responsibilities. For students and people with two homes, remember you can register at both addresses but you can’t vote more than once in the same election.
- Photo ID: Not needed for council elections (unless rules change – check nearer the time).
- Accessibility: All polling stations must provide large-print guides, tactile voting devices, and step-free access where possible.
- Language support: You can bring someone you trust to help you if English isn’t your first language.
- Working hours: Polling stations are usually open 7am-10pm, so you can vote before or after work.
| If this happens… | Do this |
|---|---|
| Your name isn’t on the register | Ask staff to double-check spelling and address; if still missing, contact the borough electoral services office instantly. |
| You lose or never receive your postal ballot | Request a replacement from your council; as a last resort, you might potentially be able to vote in person if the postal vote is officially cancelled. |
| You feel harassed or pressured outside the station | Go inside and report it to the presiding officer; serious concerns can also be reported to the police or the Electoral Commission. |
| You make a mistake on the ballot paper | Don’t be shy – return it to staff and ask for a new one before it goes in the box. |
The Conclusion
As May 2026 draws closer, the capital’s political landscape is already shifting into campaign mode. Who’s standing, what they stand for, where you can vote, and how the results will reshape London’s town halls are questions that will only grow louder in the months ahead.What’s certain is that these elections will decide far more than the colour of council letterheads.They will influence everything from the pace of new housing to the way your street is swept, your park is managed and your local services are funded.Between now and polling day, we’ll be tracking candidate announcements, key battleground boroughs, policy pledges and ward-level shake-ups, so you know exactly what’s at stake when you head to the ballot box.
London’s councils may not always command the headlines, but on 7 May 2026 they’ll command your future. Make sure you’re registered, informed and ready to vote.
