Local elections will take place across Surrey on Thursday 7 May 2026. These elections are part of a major change to local government in Surrey and will not follow the usual district, borough or county format. Instead, voters will elect councillors to the two new unitary councils being created under Local Government Reorganisation (LGR).
What’s happening with local government in Surrey?
Surrey is moving from a two-tier council system to a single-tier structure. Currently, residents receive services from Surrey County Council and one of eleven district or borough councils. From April 2027, this structure will be replaced by two new unitary authorities:
- East Surrey
- West Surrey
Each new unitary council will be responsible for all local services in its area, including:
- Waste collection and recycling
- Planning and building control
- Adult social care and children’s services
- Highways and transport
- Housing and homelessness support
- Environmental health
- Leisure and community services
The aim of the reorganisation is to simplify local government, reduce duplication, improve service delivery, and provide clearer accountability for residents.
What happens after the May 2026 election?
Councillors elected in May 2026 will initially sit on shadow authorities for their respective new councils. During this period, they will:
- Develop budgets and service plans
- Agree staffing structures and governance arrangements
- Prepare for the transfer of responsibilities from the existing councils
- Engage with residents and local partners to shape priorities
The new unitary councils will formally begin operating on 1 April 2027, when all 12 legacy councils in Surrey will be dissolved.
Here’s what to expect as we approach May 2026:
7 May 2026 – Election Day
Residents cast their votes to elect councillors to the new unitary councils. These councillors will serve from Vesting Day onward.
1 April 2027 – Day 1 of the new councils (known as Vesting Day)
East Surrey Council and West Surrey Council become fully operational, assuming responsibilities for all services currently delivered by the county and district or borough councils.
You can vote in these elections if you are:
- A UK, Irish, qualifying Commonwealth or EU citizen
- A resident of Surrey
- Registered to vote
If you have moved house, remember to re‑register - it takes only a few minutes online.
Who can register to vote in England
To register to vote, you must be aged 16 or over (but you can’t vote until you’re 18 years old), and one of the following:
- A UK or Irish citizen
- A qualifying Commonwealth citizen living in the UK
- A qualifying EU citizen living in the UK
More information on qualifying Commonwealth citizen living in the UK and qualifying EU citizen living in the UK on the Electoral Commission website.
Who can vote in the May 2026 Elections
Any registered voter living in the new East or West Surrey council areas.
East Surrey
Registered voters in the below areas will be able to vote in the East Surrey election:
- Elmbridge
- Epsom & Ewell
- Mole Valley
- Reigate & Banstead
- Tandridge
West Surrey
Registered voters in the below areas will be able to vote in the West Surrey election:
- Guildford
- Runnymede
- Spelthorne
- Surrey Heath
- Waverley
- Woking
How to register to vote
You can register to vote on the GOV.UK website
What you need to bring
You must show an approved form of photo ID to vote at a polling station.
Examples of accepted ID includes:
- Passport
- Driving licence (including provisional)
- Blue Badge
- Older Person’s or Disabled Person’s Bus Pass
- PASS‑accredited proof‑of‑age cards
If you don’t have suitable ID, you can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate.
You need to be registered to vote before you can vote in UK elections or referendums.
You need to show photo ID when voting in person. Find out what photo ID you will need on the GOV.UK website
Contact your electoral registration office if you have a question about:
- Registering to vote
- Checking if you’ve already registered to vote
- Opting in or out of the ‘open register’ - the version of the electoral register that’s available to anyone who wants to buy a copy
- Voting by post
- Appointing a proxy
- Voter Authority certificates
- Elections or referendums in your area
Contact your electoral registration office on GOV.UK.
