Forthcoming elections
Find out about the elections and referendums that are scheduled to take place up to 2029.
Essex County Council elections - postponed
Essex County Council applied to the Government to cancel the elections due in May this year.This is a side-effect of Essex County Council (alongside Thurrock and Southend City Councils) applying to join the Governments 'Devolution Priority Programme' to introduce a directly-elected Mayor for Essex, to be elected in May 2026.
Next elections
Scheduled polls usually take place on the first Thursday of May.
Local elections
Local elections take place every 4 years. Local elections for district councillors and for town and parish councillors took place on Thursday 4 May 2023.
Local elections are held for:
- the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex
- Essex County Council
- Uttlesford District Council
- town and parish councils
The last election for the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner election for Essex was held on Thursday 2 May 2024.
National elections
Parliamentary general elections take place no later than 5 years from the last one.
A parliamentary general election took place on 4 July 2024.
The government often chooses to combine parliamentary general election with another poll in May.
By-elections
By-elections often occur throughout the year due to vacancies arising such as caused by the resignation or death of a member.
These have to occur within a legal time period and full details appear on a page on this website.
Referendum
A referendum is a method of referring a question or set of questions to the entire electorate directly.
Previous referendums in the UK include:
- 5 May 2011
Referendum on whether to change the voting system for electing MPs to the House of Commons from first past the post to the alternative vote. - 23 June 2016
Referendum on the UK's membership of the European Union.
Other polls
Other polls sometimes occur such as a Neighbourhood Planning Referendums.
Again, we'll publish public notices and, if you're eligible to vote in the poll you'll receive a poll card.
Scheduled elections
2025 Essex County Council election - postponed
2026 Postponed Essex County Council election - to be confirmed
Combined (County) Authority Mayoral election - to be determined
2027 Uttlesford District Council (all out) elections and parish council elections
2028 Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner election
2029 Essex County Council election
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