A message from Andrew Small, Acting Chief Executive and Returning Officer for Epping Forest District Council.

Returning Officers are responsible for elections. With lots of help from a dedicated elections team, my job is to make sure all our local elections from district, town and parish to the General Election run smoothly and successfully.

As the media, candidates and electorates focus on the campaigns, I thought it might be good to reflect briefly on the election process and how it affects local people.

As we approach Thursday 7 May 2026, residents across the Epping Forest district will once again have the opportunity to shape the future direction of their local community.

On this day, 18 of the 54 seats on Epping Forest District Council will be contested, as part of our regular elections by thirds cycle in which a third of councillors are elected each year over a 4-year period.

These local elections will take place alongside the Essex County Council elections, postponed from May 2025, where 7 county councillors will be elected to represent divisions within the district.

Key dates for voters

Important deadlines in the election timetable include:

• Publication of notice of election
  – 27 March 2026
• Nomination period
  – 28 March to 4pm on 9 April 2026
• Full list of candidates published
  – 10 April 2026
• Register to vote deadline
  – 11.59pm on 20 April 2026
• Postal vote application deadline
  – 5pm on 21 April 2026
• Proxy vote application deadline
  – 5pm on 28 April 2026
• Polling Day
  – Thursday 7 May 2026 from 7am until 10pm

Supporting residents to take part

We encourage all eligible residents to:

• Check your voter registration status
• Register to vote
• Apply for a postal vote or proxy vote if required
• Locate your designated polling station
• Engage with candidates and information available locally

If you’re not sure of any of the above more guidance is available on our website, including details on local voting processes and support for those who may need assistance on polling day.

Find out more in our elections and voting section.

Photo ID required at all polling stations

All of us now need to produce photo ID when we turn up at the Polling Station to vote. This is now a legal requirement introduced under the Elections Act 2022 and remains in place for all local and national elections.

Acceptable forms of photo ID are:

• Passport
• Driving licence (including provisional license)
• Blue badge
• Certain concessionary travel cards
• Identity card with PASS mark (Proof of Age Standards Scheme)
• Biometric Immigration document
• Defence identity card
• Certain national identity cards

Find out more about Voter ID.

Register, prepare, make your vote count

I urge every eligible resident to take part on Thursday 7 May 2026, please register, prepare and make your vote count.