Local Elections 2026: Everything you need to know
REGISTER TO VOTE:
https://bit.ly/VoterRegistration2026
What are they?
These are local council elections, the second one since the general election in July 2024.
The 2025 local election saw Reform UK win the most seats overall.
These elections are taking place across a wide range of councils across England. Birmingham is one of them. All 101 seats in Birmingham are being contested. This means the election will decide who represents your area and which party controls the city council for at least the next four years.
What are the key dates?
Registration to vote: Monday 20th April 2026
Postal vote deadline: 5 pm Tuesday 21st April 2026
Proxy vote deadline: 5 pm Tuesday, 28th April 2026
Voter Authority Certificate: 5 pm Tuesday 28th April 2026
POLLING DAY: Thursday 7th May 2026
Who can vote?
- 18 or over
- Are a British, Irish or qualifying Commonwealth citizen
- Resident in the UK
- Not legally excluded from voting
If you have dual nationality, you can register to vote as a British citizen
What about international students?
International students can vote in the local elections. If you’re an international student from a Commonwealth country or the Republic of Ireland, you may be eligible to vote. This includes those who have a right to be in the UK, e.g., with a student visa or another form of leave to remain. Students from some EU countries can also vote in local elections if they have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, or if they are from countries with reciprocal voting agreements (Denmark, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal and Spain
Photo ID requirements
Photo ID is now required to vote – your university ID doesn’t count
Eligible photo ID
- A passport
- A driving licence
- Disabled person’s bus pass
- A PASS-accredited Proof of Age Card
- TOTUM + Age ID
Do I need to register to vote again if I change my address
Yes, you need to register to vote every time you change address. You can register to vote using the link below
https://bit.ly/VoterRegistration2026
Can I register to vote at two addresses?
Yes, students are allowed to register to vote at more than one address. At local elections you can vote at both addresses, as long as they are in different council areas.
Why do they matter?
Students can elect local representatives to address concerns they have as students living in Birmingham. This includes pedestrian spaces, local housing, environmental planning, employment strategy, and importantly, public transport (including costs).
Ultimately, students need to feel like they belong in the city, and that they can benefit from what the city has to offer. Getting involved in local elections is part of pushing for making students feel like citizens, and not simply by-passers or tourists. The more students are involved in politics and decision-making in their town and city, the more they can shape the services they rely on.
how will my local candidates address student concerns?
Your full-time officers have three questions they will ask local candidates in the Ladywood area as well as areas that are populated by UCB students. These questions are the following:
- What will you do to make buses, trams and local trains in Birmingham cheaper, more reliable and safer for students?
- How will you work with students to create local employment opportunities during studies and post-graduation?
- Our students have reported feeling unsafe due to what they perceive as heightened discriminatory discourses. How will you address discrimination and racism in the local area, as well as across the city?
The candidate list will be published on April 10. We will give all candidates the opportunity to respond to the questions above and will publish this on our website and newsletters.