May local elections 2026: what do Leeds voters need to bring and when polls open and shut

Voters across Leeds will be heading to the polls to have their say in just over 24 hours time.

Polling stations across the city are set to open on Thursday (May 7) with seats in every single ward up for grabs. The results will be announced on Friday (May 8) afternoon.

Leeds City Council are reminding residents that they now need to bring valid ID along with them when they head to the ballot. Voters without one risk being turned away tomorrow.

Returning Officer and chief executive of Leeds City Council Ed Whiting said: “Election day is here on Thursday so we would encourage everyone registered to get involved and have their say. For everyone intending to vote in person at a polling station please remember to take an accepted form of photo ID with you, as without it you will not be allowed to vote.

“Any postal voters who have not yet received their voting pack need to contact us urgently please, and for everyone voting, please remember that your vote is yours alone to decide. We look forward to election day in Leeds followed by the count and results on Friday.”

When are the May elections in 2026?

Once again, residents across the city of Leeds will be heading to the polls this spring. It is time for more city council elections - and the date for this year’s vote has been confirmed.

The May local elections are set to take place on Thursday, May 7.

What time do the polls open and close in Leeds?

Polling stations are set to be open from 7am on Thursday, it has been confirmed. Voters will have until 10pm to vote, giving you around 15 hours to cast your vote.

Anyone unsure of where their polling station is can find out via https://wheredoivote.co.uk.

Do you need ID to vote in the May elections?

Everyone voting in person on Thursday is reminded of the need to remember to take their accepted form of photo ID with them to the polling station, which will be checked on arrival. To see the list of accepted forms of ID visit Voter photo ID (leeds.gov.uk). Voters will be able to use expired ID if they are still recognisable from the photo.

It may be necessary for polling officials to ask voters to remove face coverings in order to verify their identity. Privacy booths will be available at all polling stations, with a choice of a male or female official to carry out the check.

Anyone wishing to hand in a postal vote rather than returning it in the post via Royal Mail is reminded it can only be handed in at a polling station or at the electoral services office at Leeds Civic Hall, LS1 1UR. No other council offices will be able to accept votes.

When will the May election results be announced?

Voters will have their chance to have their say at the latest set of local elections in May. The polls will be open on May 7 and close towards the end of the day.

Leeds City Council has said that the votes will be counted and the results announced on Friday, May 8. Follow the YEP’s coverage throughout that day for all the results.

What are you voting for in the May elections?

Unlike the general election in 2024, the public will be heading to the polls for a decidedly more local vote this May. Residents across the city of Leeds will be voting for their local councillors.

The local elections in Leeds will see 36 councillors securing seats on the city council with voting taking place in all 33 ward areas in the city, along with further seats being contested to fill vacancies in Adel and Wharfedale, Morley North and Temple Newsam. In these three wards, the winner and the second-placed candidate will secure places on the council.

To see the list of candidates standing in each ward click the link here.