May local elections 2026: key dates Leeds voters need to know - and major deadlines
Voters across the city of Leeds will be heading to the polls in this year’s May local elections.
Seats are up for grabs at Leeds City Council this spring. Residents in every single ward will have their chance to cast ballots in the coming weeks.
Electoral Registration Officer and chief executive of Leeds City Council Ed Whiting said: “The pre-election period is set to start shortly, and it is very important that all those who wish to vote are registered to do so and by their chosen method.
“All registered voters will be receiving information in the coming weeks and it is essential to please read the documents and guidance thoroughly to ensure everything is correct so you can have your say.”
Nigel Farage will be coming to Leeds at the end of this month to campaign ahead of the elections. A counter-protest is set to take place in the city.
But what are the key dates and deadlines? Here’s all you need to know:
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.
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.
Voting for 33 seats on the council, one for each ward area of the city, is set to take place on May 7.
When is the deadline to register to vote?
The first step in the voting process is being registered to vote. The deadline to do so for anyone not already registered is midnight on Monday, April 20.
This includes anyone who has moved home and needs to register at their new address. Registration takes just five minutes and can be completed online here.
Poll cards for everyone registered to vote in Leeds will be posted out from March 27 onwards. Residents are being asked to check the details on their poll cards when they arrive to ensure they are correct, and also to note the location of their polling station which may have changed.
Can you vote by post in the May elections?
The next step is choosing which method to use to vote, either in person, by post, or by appointing someone trusted to vote on your behalf, which is known as a proxy vote.
Under new government rules, all registered postal voters needed to have reapplied by renewing their details by the end of January in order to continue voting using that method.
Leeds City Council has since contacted all of those who did not respond by that deadline with information and guidance on their options.
Anyone previously registered to vote by post who did not complete that renewal in time and wishes to vote by post again will need to reapply in order to do so via the council’s website before 5pm on Tuesday, April 21.
Postal poll cards will also be sent to anyone registered to vote by post, followed by postal ballot packs which will be issued from around April 21.
Do you need an ID to vote in 2026?
For those voting in person on election day, the election will continue the national system of a valid form of Voter ID needing to be shown at the polling station.
Guidance on what forms of identification will be accepted and how to apply for a new free Voter ID if required can be seen on the council’s website.
All community hubs and libraries in Leeds will be able to help voters complete the application form including having their photo taken. The deadline to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate (free voter ID) is 5pm on Tuesday, April 28.