Local elections 2026

Information for voters

Skip to key dates | Wards and councillors | Who can vote | Register to vote | Polling stations | Voter ID | How to vote | Voting by post | Voting by proxy | Emergency proxy

Local council elections will take place in Thurrock on Thursday 7 May 2026. This page explains how to vote, who can vote, and all key deadlines.

Key dates

  • Register to vote: Monday 20 April 2026 (midnight)
  • Apply for a postal vote: Tuesday 21 April 2026 (5pm)
  • Apply for a proxy vote: Tuesday 28 April 2026 (5pm)
  • Apply for an emergency proxy: Between Tuesday 28 April (5pm) and Thursday 7 May 2026 (5pm)
  • Apply for a Voter Authority Certificate: Tuesday 28 April 2026 (5pm)
  • Polling day: Thursday 7 May 2026 (7am to 10pm)

Wards and councillors

Thurrock has 20 wards and 49 councillors. Each ward will elect either 2 or 3 councillors.

Candidate details will be published after 4pm on Tuesday 9 April.

Wards with 2 councillors

  • Chafford Hundred East
  • Chafford Hundred West
  • East Tilbury, Linford and West Tilbury
  • Little Thurrock Blackshots
  • Little Thurrock Rectory
  • Orsett, Horndon and Bulphan
  • Purfleet-on-Thames
  • Stifford
  • Tilbury Riverside
  • Tilbury St Chads
  • West Thurrock and South Stifford

Wards with 3 councillors

  • Aveley
  • Belhus
  • Chadwell St Mary
  • Corringham and Fobbing
  • Grays Riverside
  • Grays Town
  • Ockendon
  • Stanford-le-Hope South
  • The Homesteads and Stanford-le-Hope North

Who can vote

You can vote in the Thurrock local elections if you:

  • are registered to vote
  • are 18 or over on polling day
  • live in the UK and are a British, Irish, qualifying Commonwealth or qualifying EU citizen
  • are not legally excluded from voting

Register to vote

You must register by midnight on Monday 20 April 2026.

Apply to register to vote on GOV.UK

If you are already registered, you do not need to register again unless you move or change your name.

Poll cards and polling stations

Poll cards will be delivered between Friday 27 March and Sunday 5 April 2026.

You do not need your poll card to vote, but taking it can help staff find your details.

Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm.

Your poll card shows your polling station address. You can also:

Voter ID

You must show photo ID to vote in person. If you do not bring accepted ID, you cannot vote.

Check accepted photo ID on GOV.UK

Expired ID is accepted if the photo still looks like you.

If your name is different on your ID, bring a document showing the change (for example a marriage certificate or deed poll).

Voter Authority Certificate

If you do not have accepted ID, apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate.

Apply on GOV.UK by 5pm on Tuesday 28 April 2026.

How to vote

You can vote:

  • in person at a polling station
  • by post
  • by proxy (someone votes for you)

Voting by post

The deadline to apply is 5pm on Tuesday 21 April 2026.

Apply for a postal vote

Change or cancel an existing postal vote

When you will receive your postal vote

  • Applications received by 7 April → sent around 17 April 2026
  • Applications received 10–21 April → sent around 24 April 2026

Replacement postal votes

If your postal pack is lost, damaged or not received, you can request a replacement from Thursday 30 April to 5pm on Thursday 7 May.

You must contact us to check we can issue a replacement.

Use the contact form or call 01375 652652

Collect your replacement from:

Thurrock Council
Civic Offices
New Road
Grays
RM17 6SL

Opening hours: 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

You must bring photo ID and proof of address.

Returning your postal vote

Your postal vote must arrive by 10pm on Thursday 7 May.

If you miss the post, you can:

  • take it to any polling station in your ward on polling day and complete a short form
  • hand it in at the Civic Offices and complete a short form
  • if you do not complete the form, your vote will be rejected

You can hand in up to 5 postal votes for other people, plus your own.

Voting by proxy

The deadline to apply is 5pm on Tuesday 28 April 2026.

Apply for a proxy vote

If your proxy cannot travel to your polling station, they can apply to vote by post. Both applications must arrive by 5pm on Tuesday 21 April 2026.

Emergency proxy

You can apply for an emergency proxy if:

  • you have a medical emergency
  • your work changes unexpectedly
  • your ID is lost, stolen, damaged or delayed

Available from: 5pm on Tuesday 28 April.

Deadline: 5pm on Thursday 7 May 2026.

Download the emergency proxy form from GOV.UK and email your completed form to electoral.services@thurrock.gov.uk.