How the elections work

In London, ‘all out’ elections take place every four years. This means that in 32 London boroughs every council seat is up for election on the same day: 5 May 2022. The City of London operates different electoral arrangements and it last held its local elections in March 2022. The elections for the Mayor of London and the London Assembly take place on a different four year cycle with the next election in 2024.

Councillors

Boroughs are divided up into areas called wards. In each ward, local residents can cast votes for as many council seats as there are being contested. Electors can vote for candidates all from one party, a mix of parties, or independent councillors who are not affiliated with any political party.

In 28 of the 32 boroughs, the leader of the council is normally decided by the political party group with the most council seats. Four London boroughs, Hackney, Lewisham, Newham, and Tower Hamlets, are currently governed by an executive mayoral system. From May 2022, Croydon will also be governed by this system. This means in addition to voting for their local wards representatives, local residents vote directly for who leads the council.

Who can vote?

All UK, Commonwealth and European Union citizens, who are aged 18 or over on the day of the election and are living in the area are entitled to vote in the local elections.

Unlike parliamentary elections, people can be registered to vote at more than one address. For example, a university student who lives at home during the holidays and has a term-time address, would be entitled to vote in the local elections at each address.

To vote you must register

How do I vote?

People can vote at their local polling station between 7am and 10pm. The location of the polling station will be on the polling card, which will be sent to voters before election day by their council. Electors will need to tell polling staff their name and address in order to vote; the polling card will save time, but it is not essential in order to receive a ballot paper.

If people do not wish to cast their vote at a polling station, they can apply for a postal ballot, which will be sent to their address ahead of the election day. An elector does not need to give any reason why they wish to vote by post. People can also register for a proxy vote, meaning they appoint someone they trust to vote for them. To vote by proxy , there must be a reason, such as illness or being away with work. If someone is suddenly incapacitated or taken ill, they can apply to vote by proxy for medical reasons up until 5pm on polling day.

Read more about your vote

How do I see the results?

This website will show the results across London. The full results for your ward and borough will be available on your local council website.