Forthcoming elections

Registration

You need to be registered to vote in order to vote at this election. You are not automatically registered to vote because you pay Council Tax.

If you have not registered or have moved recently you will need to register prior to the election. The deadline to register is Monday 20 April 2026. You can register to vote on the GOV.UK website.

How you can vote

You can vote in person at the polling station, by post or by proxy.

Voting in person at a polling station

Polling stations will be open from 7am until 10pm on Thursday 7 May 2026. Details of your polling station can be found on your poll card. Please check where your polling station is located as this may have changed since you last voted.

Poll cards for electors voting at their polling station will be sent in an A5 envelope.

You do not need your poll card to vote but it saves time at the polling station if you take with you.

You will need to bring an accepted form of photo identification in order to receive your ballot paper. Find out more about accepted forms of photo ID on the Electoral Commission website.

You are also welcome to take your own pen or pencil to use in the polling station.

Postal voting

You can apply for a postal vote at any time until 5pm on Tuesday, 21 April 2026. You can apply for a postal vote online via the GOV.UK website. We must receive your application by this deadline.

The deadline for making changes to or cancelling existing postal votes is also 5pm on Tuesday 21 April 2026.

Postal votes are sent out in batches, with cut off dates for each batch so the earlier we receive your application form the sooner we can send you your ballot papers.

Completed postal votes need to be returned to the Deputy Returning Officer by 10pm on 7 May 2026. You can hand your completed postal vote into the Council Offices or at any polling station in your ward.

Proxy voting

You can apply for a proxy vote, where someone votes on your behalf at your polling station until 5pm Tuesday 28 April 2026. Your proxy needs to be registered to vote and eligible to vote at the elections on 7 May 2026. You can apply for a proxy vote on the GOV.UK website.

If you appoint a proxy, you are still entitled to vote yourself at your polling station provided that your proxy has not already voted on your behalf or arranged a postal vote. Please note that your proxy will need to attend your allocated polling station to vote on your behalf.

If, after 5pm on Tuesday 28 April 2026 you find that you are unable to attend your polling station due to work or medical reasons, or there is an issue with the Voter ID you had planned to use, you may be able to apply to vote by emergency proxy. Please contact the Elections team on 01276 707165 or by emailing vote@surreyheath.gov.uk for more information.