The London local elections in May 2026 are shaping up to be a pivotal moment for the capital. With 1,817 council seats across 32 boroughs up for grabs, the political landscape could shift significantly. Labour currently controls 21 boroughs, but polls suggest the Greens and Reform UK could make major gains, while the Tories may reclaim Westminster. In addition to councillors, voters in Croydon, Hackney, Lewisham, Newham, and Tower Hamlets will also elect their borough mayors.
When is the London Local Election 2026?
The election takes place on Thursday, May 7, 2026. Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm.
Where is my polling station?
Registered voters should have received a polling card with their designated polling station address. You can also find your nearest polling station by entering your postcode on the official Electoral Commission website.
What ID do I need to vote?
Photo identification is mandatory to vote in person. Accepted forms include:
- UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, or EEA passport (including Irish Passport Card)
- UK or EEA driving licence (provisional accepted)
- Blue Badge
- Older Person's Bus Pass (UK-funded)
- Disabled Person's Bus Pass (UK-funded)
- 60+ London Oyster Photocard (TfL-funded)
- Freedom Pass
- PASS card (Proof of Age Standards Scheme)
- Biometric immigration document
- Ministry of Defence Form 90
- EEA national identity card
- Voter Authority Certificate
- Anonymous Elector's Document
Can I still register to vote?
No, the registration deadline has passed. The deadline to register was April 20, for postal votes April 21, and for proxy votes April 28.
Ways to vote
Voting options include in-person, by post, or by proxy. For in-person voting, bring your ID to your polling station. Postal votes must be submitted in advance or dropped off at a polling station on election day. Proxy voting requires prior registration (now closed), and your proxy must bring ID and a proxy poll card.
When will results be announced?
Most boroughs will declare results on Friday, May 8. Some early results (e.g., Sutton, Westminster, Ealing) may come in around 4:30am Friday, while others (Lewisham, Croydon, Tower Hamlets) may not finish until Saturday afternoon. Expected declaration times:
- Barking & Dagenham: 5pm Friday
- Barnet: 5pm Friday
- Bexley: 5am Friday
- Brent: 5pm Friday
- Bromley: 7pm Friday
- Camden: 6pm Friday
- Croydon: 4pm Saturday
- Ealing: 4:30am Friday
- Enfield: 5pm Friday
- Greenwich: 4pm Friday
- Hackney: 5pm Friday
- Hammersmith & Fulham: 5:30am Friday
- Haringey: 5:30pm Friday
- Harrow: 4:30pm Friday
- Havering: 6am Friday
- Hillingdon: 4pm Friday
- Hounslow: 4:30pm Friday
- Islington: 3pm Friday
- Kensington & Chelsea: 5am Friday
- Kingston: 6pm Friday
- Lambeth: 6pm Friday
- Lewisham: 4pm Friday
- Merton: 5am Friday
- Newham: 6pm Friday
- Redbridge: 5pm Friday
- Richmond: 5am Friday
- Southwark: 6pm Friday
- Sutton: 4:30am Friday
- Tower Hamlets: 6pm Saturday
- Waltham Forest: 3pm Friday
- Westminster: 4:30am Friday
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