Local Elections 2026

Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm on Thursday 7 May 2026.

Before polling day, you will be sent a poll card which will tell you where your polling station is. You can also use our polling station finder if you’re not sure.

You do not need to take the poll card with you to vote, but it will help polling station staff find your address on the voting register if you do.

Voter ID

If you are voting in person, you will need to show photo ID to vote at a polling station.

 There are a number of accepted forms of ID, including:

• passport
• driver’s license
• multiple concessionary travel passes
• PASS card (Proof of Age Standards Scheme)
• blue badge

If you do not have an accepted form of ID, apply for a free photo ID to vote (known as a Voter Authority Certificate) by 5pm on 28 April 2026.

Find out more about voter ID

If you have registered to vote by post, the ballot papers will be sent to your address.

Please note: Apply for your postal vote by 23 March to ensure your pack is included in the first issue of postal votes scheduled to be dispatched on 16 April. Applications received after this date will be included in the second issue, dispatched on 29 April.

How to apply

The deadline to apply for a postal vote in time for the General Election is 5pm on 21 April 2026.

When to return your postal vote

We must receive your postal vote by 10pm on polling day, Thursday 7 May 2026, for it to be counted, so please remember to post it in plenty of time.

If you have left it too late to post your postal vote, you can also hand this in at any polling station within your constituency or to Brent Civic Centre, Engineers Way, Wembley, HA9 0FJ by 10pm on polling day, Thursday 7 May.

You will be only able to hand in your own postal vote, and the postal votes of up to five other people. If handing in any postal votes, even your own, you will also need to complete a short form.

Lost or damaged postal vote

If your postal vote has been lost or damaged, you can collect a replacement between Thursday 30 April and 5pm on Thursday 7 May. Replacements can be collected from Brent Civic Centre, Engineers Way, Wembley, HA9 0FJ. 

To get your replacement postal ballot, you must bring photo ID and proof of address with you. If you cannot collect your replacement postal vote in person, or if you have any other questions, please contact us.

Find out more about postal voting

If you’re unable to vote in person, you can ask someone to vote on your behalf. This is called a proxy vote.

How to apply

The deadline to apply for a proxy vote in time for the Local Elections is 5pm on 28 April 2026.

Emergency proxy

If you become aware of a medical or employment emergency after the deadline for applying for a proxy vote which means you cannot go to the polling station in person, you can apply to vote by emergency proxy up to 5pm on polling day, 7 May 2026.

Please contact us for more information about voting by emergency proxy.

Find out more about proxy voting

A candidates and agents briefing will be held on Tuesday 17 March 2026 from 5.30pm. The briefing will support both experienced and first time candidates  and will look at the nomination process, the timetable and campaigning  

The briefing will be held over teams. To express your interest please email electoral.services@brent.gov.uk

The Notice of Election will be published on Friday 27 March 2026. Nomination papers must be delivered to Brent Civic Centre between the hours of 10am and 4pm. Nominations must be received by 4pm on Thursday 9 April 2026.

Nomination packs can be downloaded from the Electoral Commission website.

To be able to stand as a candidate in the local elections you must:

• be at least 18 years old
• be a British citizen, an eligible Commonwealth citizen, a citizen of the Republic of Ireland, a qualifying EU citizen or an EU citizen with retained rights.

And, meet at least one of the following qualifications:

• you are, and will continue to be, registered as a local government elector in Brent from the day of your nomination onwards
• you have occupied as owner or tenant any land or other premises in Brent during the whole of the 12 months before the day of your nomination and the day of election
• your main or only place of work during the 12 months prior to the day of your nomination and the day of the election has been in Brent
• you have lived in Brent during the whole of the 12 months before the day of your nomination and the day of election.

Candidates are advised to take measures to safeguard their personal safety, online security, and campaign activities throughout the election period. The UK Government has issued guidance on candidate security, including advice on digital protection, handling intimidation, keeping campaigners safe, and managing sensitive information.

Prospective candidates, agents, and independents cannot receive the electoral register until the Notice of Election is published on Friday 27 March. Before that date, only registered political parties can receive it.

Once the Notice of Election is published, an individual officially becomes a candidate. From that point, the candidate or their election agent may request a copy of the electoral register. This applies equally to party-affiliated and independent candidates.