Candidates announced ahead of East Surrey and West Surrey Council elections

In total 379 candidates are standing for 72 seats across 36 wards in the East Surrey Council Elections and 452 candidates are standing for 90 seats across 45 wards in the West Surrey Council elections.

Details of those standing can be found on the Future Surrey website, where electors can search for who is up for election in their area. Candidates are also listed on the district or borough council website for the area in which they are standing to represent. Those standing in the Reigate & Banstead area can be found on the ’Statement of Persons Nominated’ on our East Surrey Council elections page.

Residents living in areas covered by Elmbridge, Epsom & Ewell, Mole Valley, Reigate & Banstead and Tandridge councils will vote in the East Surrey Council Elections, while those in the Guildford, Runnymede, Spelthorne, Surrey Heath, Waverley and Woking council areas will vote in the West Surrey Council elections.

Electors will be able to vote for up to two councillors to represent their ward in these elections. In total, there will be 20 councillors across 10 wards representing Reigate & Banstead Borough Council's geographic area.

What the new councillors be responsible for

Councillors elected to East Surrey Council and West Surrey Council in May 2026 will serve for five years, until May 2031.

In the first year they will work as part of a ‘shadow’ authority. During this period, they will set budgets and council tax for 2027/28, agree staffing structures and governance arrangements, adopt codes of conduct and members’ allowance schemes and prepare for the transfer of responsibilities from the existing councils in Surrey.

The new councils will then officially take over from 1 April 2027, providing all the local council services you rely on including education, waste collection, roads, housing, play areas, children’s services, adult social care and more.

Make sure you’re ready to vote

Mari Roberts-Wood, Chief Executive at Reigate & Banstead Borough Council and Returning Officer for the East Surrey Elections said:

“I’d like to encourage you to see who is standing for election in your area and use your vote on 7 May. The election is your opportunity to choose who you want to represent you and the issues that matter to you in your local area for the next five years. Make sure you’re ready to vote in these important elections.”

Andrew Pritchard, Chief Executive of Runnymede Borough Council and Returning Officer for the West Surrey Elections, continued:

“To have your say in these elections, you must be registered to vote and the deadline – midnight on 20 April - is fast approaching. Register now if you aren’t already, especially if you have recently moved house, changed you name or just turned 18. If you’re in any doubt, or have questions, visit The Electoral Commission’s website, or contact your council."

Other local polls

Existing county, borough and district councillors will continue in their roles until 31 March 2027, so there will be no elections to these councils, except where there are by-elections for vacant seats in particular wards.

On 7 May, local by-elections will take place in three out of 11 boroughs and districts in Surrey for vacated county council, district and borough council seats, including in Reigate & Banstead Borough Council's Earlswood and Whitebushes ward, as well as in Guildford and Tandridge areas. Some other areas in the county also have Parish council elections and/or Neighbourhood Planning Referendums. Candidates standing in the Earlswood & Whitebishes by-election can be found on the Statement of Person Nominated on the Earslwood and Whitebushes by-election page.

Don’t lose your vote

To be able to vote in these elections, you must be registered to vote by midnight on 20 April 2026. If you’re not already registered, register now at gov.uk/register-to-vote

To vote at a polling station, you must bring an accepted form of photo ID. These include a passport, a driving licence or a concessionary travel pass, such as an older person’s bus pass. You can use expired IDs if the photo still looks like you. If you are voting on behalf of someone else as their proxy, you will need to bring your own photo ID.

For a full list of accepted photo ID visit the Electoral Commisssion's website. 

If you don’t have an accepted form of photo ID, apply online for a free Voter Authority Certificate (VAC) by 5pm on 28 April 2026.

Unable to make it to the polling station?

If you won’t be able to get to a polling station on election day, you can apply online for a postal vote or proxy vote. Apply as soon as possible to make sure you receive your postal vote pack or proxy vote in good time.

The deadline to apply for a postal vote is 5pm on Tuesday 21 April 2026. For a proxy vote – when a friend or relative you trust casts your vote for you – apply by 5pm on 28 April 2026.

More information

For more about these elections and the upcoming changes in Surrey, visit the Future Surrey website.

For clear, trusted information about voting and elections, The Electoral Commission's website.

Those without access to the internet can contact the Counci'ls elections line on 01737 276 794.