Local elections - Thursday 7 May 2026
The Notice of Election has now been published.
Background information
Local elections give people the chance to choose the decision-makers who affect their communities.
Local councillors are involved with issues in their area such as -
- bin collections
- public transport
- local education
- environmental issues
They are often the first point of contact for residents to raise issues about their neighbourhood.
The Hull City Council authority area is organised into 21 wards.
Some have 2 Councillors and some have 3, depending on the electorate.
Councillors are elected ‘by thirds’ meaning that only one seat is available for election each year, for 3 years.
Wards that only have 2 Councillors only have one seat available for election each year for 2 years.
Ings and Kingswood wards do not have local elections this year.
About this election
The Notice of Election was published on Monday 23 March 2026.
The Statement of Persons nominated will be published on Friday 10 April. This is the list of candidates that are standing in each eligible ward.
The poll to elect the councillor in each participating ward will take place on Thursday 7 May across the Hull City Council area with polling stations open from 7am until 10pm.
Poll letters will be sent to registered electors advising them of where they need to go and what they need to do.
The count will take place at the Guildhall following the close of poll. Only those officially appointed may attend.
The result will be determined using the ‘first past the post’ system.
Register to vote
Electors must be registered by midnight Monday 20 April 2026 in order to vote at this election.
You can register to vote -
- online on the GOV.UK website
- over the telephone 01482 613 386
- requesting a paper form through email at electoral.services@hullcc.gov.uk or phone as above
How to vote at a polling station
The elector’s poll letter will tell them where their designated polling station is.
Valid ID must be produced in order to be issued with a ballot paper, but you do not have to take the letter with you.
The full list of accepted forms of ID can be found here.
Electors with no photo ID can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate (VAC) online, or by contacting the office for a paper form by email electoral.services@hullcc.gov.uk or phone 01482 613 386.
The application deadline for this is 5pm on Tuesday 28 April.
Other ways to vote
Electors can apply to vote by post. This means the ballot paper and security paperwork will be sent to their address or another address as specified on their application.
Applications can be made online, or by contacting the office for a paper form by email electoral.services@hullcc.gov.uk or telephone 01482 613 386. The application deadline is 5pm on Tuesday 21 April.
Electors can apply to choose someone they trust to cast their vote for them. Applications to vote by proxy can be made online, or by contacting the office for a paper form by email electoral.services@hullcc.gov.uk or telephone on 01482 613 386. The application deadline is 5pm on Tuesday 28 April.
Candidates campaign material
You may receive campaign material or promotional items during the election period.
Political parties are entitled to a copy of the full electoral register for campaign and engagement purposes.
This is a legal requirement as specified in Regulation 103 of the Representation of the People (England and Wales) Regulations 2001.
Opting out of being included on the Open Register only prevents the information being sold for marketing purposes, not for campaign purposes.
If you are concerned about the content of any promotional material you may have seen or received, you may report this to the Electoral Commission online or by phone 020 7271 0604.
Election results
The verification, count and declaration of results will take place at the Guildhall, commencing after the close of poll at 10pm on Thursday 7 May.
Only individuals that have been officially appointed may attend.
Results are expected in the early hours of Friday 8 May and will be published on our website and on social media.
Previous election results
Local election - Thursday 2 May 2024
Avenue Ward by-election - Thursday 15 February 2024
Results from the 2023 local elections