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Elections 2026

Upcoming elections

There are not currently any borough-wide polls scheduled for 2026 in Rushcliffe. 

This year is what’s known as a fallow year for Rushcliffe Borough Council, which means we don't have any scheduled elections taking place on 7 May. This is part of the normal local election cycle. We elect all of our 44 councillors every four years. Our next scheduled polls are due to take place in May 2027. You may see/have seen information online or in the media about elections in neighbouring areas and be wondering why there’s nothing about elections here. This is completely normal, as different areas vote in different years.

Ruddington Parish Council – Manor Ward By Election

A valid request has been received by the Proper Officer for an election to take place to fill the vacancy to Manor Ward of Ruddington Parish Council.

Therefore, an election for the vacancy will take place on Thursday 20 August if contested.

Notices will appear below as and when they are published.

Nomination Process

Nomination packs are available on request from the Returning Officer. Please email elections@rushcliffe.gov.uk if you would like to request a pack.

Nominations to stand for election as a candidate for this election will be accepted by the Returning Officer at Rushcliffe Arena, Rugby Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham NG2 7YG between the hours of 9am and 4pm from Thursday 16 July until close of nominations at 4pm on Friday 24 July.

Completed nomination forms must be submitted in person to the Returning Officer at the address and times stated above. Please contact Electoral Services, either by emailing elections@rushcliffe.gov.uk> or by telephone on 0115 981 9911, to make an appointment to have your nomination checked prior to formal submission.

Guidance for candidates and agents is available from the Electoral Commission.

The Association of Electoral Administrators provide a free online training course to help with the completion of Parish nomination papers. The online course is endorsed by the National Association of Local Councils and can be accessed by clicking the link below:

Free online training course – Parish Nomination Papers

Key Dates

Should this election be contested, then some key dates are listed below:

  • Deadline to register to vote – 11:59pm on Tuesday 4 August
  • Deadline to apply to vote by post – 5pm on Wednesday 5 August
  • Deadline to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate – 5pm on Wednesday 12 August
  • Deadline to apply to vote by proxy – 5pm on Wednesday 12 August

It is anticipated that postal votes will be sent out on or around Monday 10 August, should this election be contested.

 

East Leake Parish Council – Castle Ward By Election

A valid request has been received by the Proper Officer for an election to take place to fill the vacancy to Castle Ward of East Leake Parish Council.

Therefore, an election for the vacancy will take place on Wednesday 22 July if contested.

Notices will appear below as and when they are published.

Key Dates

Some key dates are listed below:

  • Deadline to register to vote – 11:59pm on Monday 6 July
  • Deadline to apply to vote by post – 5pm on Tuesday 7 July
  • Deadline to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate – 5pm on Tuesday 14 July
  • Deadline to apply to vote by proxy – 5pm on Tuesday 14 July

It is anticipated that postal votes will be sent out on or around Friday 10 July, should this election be contested.

Voting on Wednesday 22 July 2026

You need photo ID to vote at the election this July.

The UK Government introduced a requirement in 2023 for voters to show photo ID when voting at a polling station at all elections in England.

This requirement will apply again at the East Leake Parish Council - Castle Ward by election taking place on Wednesday 22 July 2026.

At this election you will need to bring acceptable photo ID to be able to vote at a polling station. Those voting by postal vote do not need to provide ID as separate security measures are already in place for voting by post.

Which forms of ID can I use to vote at a polling station?

You may already have a form of photo ID that is acceptable. You can use any of the following:

  • 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

For more information on which forms of photo ID will be accepted, visit the Electoral Commission website or call their helpline on 0800 328 0280.

If you have a form of accepted ID that is out of date but still looks like you, you can still use it to vote.

You must show the original version of your photo ID when voting and not a photocopy.

 

What if I don’t have an accepted form of photo ID?

If you don’t already have an accepted form of photo ID, or you’re not sure whether your photo ID still looks like you, you can apply for a free voter ID document, known as a Voter Authority Certificate.

You need to be registered to vote before you apply for a Voter Authority Certificate. If you are not registered to vote already, you can register online. The deadline to register to vote for this election is 11:59pm on Monday 6 July.

You can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate online. 

Alternatively, you can complete a paper application form and send this to the Electoral Services team.  If you need any help applying for a Voter Authority Certificate or want to request an application form, contact the Electoral Services team by emailing elections@rushcliffe.gov.uk  or calling 0115 981 9911.

The deadline to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate for use at this election is 5pm on Tuesday 14 July, but you should apply as soon as possible in case we need to check any details with you.

What information do I need to give when I apply for a Voter Authority Certificate?

When applying for a Voter Authority Certificate, you will need to provide your:

  • Name
  • Address
  • Date of birth
  • National Insurance number

If you don’t know your National Insurance number, or don’t have one, you can still apply. However, we will contact you to request alternative proof of your identity.

You will also need to submit a passport type photograph with your application.

You can visit our Customer Service Centre in West Bridgford Library to assist you with your application including the photo you need to complete the application.

 

What will happen at the polling station?

When you arrive at the polling station, a member of staff will:

  1. Ask you for your name and address so they can find you on the electoral register
  2. Ask for your photo ID or Voter Authority Certificate and check it is acceptable
  3. If your ID is acceptable, they will give you your ballot paper and direct you to vote in a polling booth as usual

A private area will be available at the polling station, so you can choose to have your photo ID viewed in private if you like. This might be a separate room, or an area separated by a privacy screen, depending on the polling station.

Staff at the station are there to help. If you need assistance at any point, just ask.

 

How do I register to vote?

To vote in this election, you must be registered to vote by 11:59pm on Monday 6 July.

If you’ve never registered, have recently moved to a different address, or changed your name, register to vote online. You can also apply by completing a paper application form.

If you need help registering to vote, or want to request a paper application form, please contact the Electoral Services team by emailing elections@rushcliffe.gov.uk or calling 0115 981 9911.

 

Are there other ways to vote?

You can apply to vote by post or by proxy (where you appoint someone to vote on your behalf).

In order to vote by post, you’ll need to complete a postal vote application form and make sure we receive it by 5pm on Tuesday 7 July.

You can now apply for a postal vote online.  If you are not able to complete the online application, you can download a paper application form from the Government website.  You will need your National Insurance number to hand when applying to vote by post.

In order to vote by proxy, you’ll need to complete a proxy vote application form and make sure we receive it by 5pm on Tuesday 14 July.

In some circumstances, you can now apply for a proxy vote online.  If you are not able to complete the online application, you can download a proxy vote application form from the Government website.  You will need your National Insurance number to hand when applying to vote by proxy.

If you appoint a proxy to vote on your behalf, it is important to stress that the proxy will then need to vote at your allocated polling station in East Leake. If they would prefer to vote by post then the proxy needs to fill in a postal proxy application form as well and this must be returned by the postal voting deadline of 5pm on Tuesday 7 July.

For more information about postal and proxy voting, visit The Electoral Commission website  or call their helpline on 0800 328 0280.

 

Do you need support accessing your polling station?

If you have any accessibility needs when you visit your polling station, please let us know by emailing elections@rushcliffe.gov.uk or call us on 0115 981 9911.

Upper Broughton Parish Council By Election

A valid request was received by the Proper Officer for an election to take place to fill the vacancy to Upper Broughton Parish Council.

The election was uncontested and Cleo Lacey Edwards has been elected unopposed.

Notices will appear below as and when they are published.

 

Upper Saxondale Parish Council By Election

A valid request was received by the Proper Officer for an election to take place to fill the vacancy to Upper Saxondale Parish Council.

The election was uncontested and Kirsty Lord has been elected unopposed.

Notices will appear below as and when they are published.

 

Do you need support accessing your polling station?

If you have any accessibility needs when you visit your polling station, please let us know by emailing elections@rushcliffe.gov.uk or call us on 0115 981 9911.

 

Past elections

The most recent elections are shown on the election results page.

 

 

Do it online

Documents to download

Useful links

 

Elections