Borough Council and Parish Elections 2026

West Lancashire Borough Council

There are 15 seats up for election on Thursday 7 May 2026 across all 15 Wards (1 seat per Ward).

Official notices relating to the election will be accessed here.

Parish Councils

52 seats in 6 Parish and Town Council areas are also up for election on Thursday 7 May 2026.

Official notices relating to the election will be accessed here.

Information for voters

Information on registering to vote, applying for a postal vote, or applying for voter ID can be found below.

Poll card delivery begins on Friday 27 March 2026. You do not need to bring your poll card to vote at the polling station.
The deadline to register to vote for this election is midnight on Monday 20 April 2026.
The deadline to apply for a postal vote is 5pm on Tuesday 21 April 2026.
Postal votes will be delivered on or around Thursday 23 April 2026. (for those who applied by 2 April. If you apply after this point, the postal vote will arrive around Thursday 23 April). If you have not received your postal vote pack by Thursday 30 April 2026, please contact the Elections Office on 01695 585014 as you will be able to arrange a replacement.

Voter Identification at Polling Stations

Accepted forms of photo ID

You need to show photo ID to vote at polling stations in England.

You can use any of the following accepted forms of photo ID when voting at a polling station.

You only need to show one form of photo ID. It needs to be the original version, not a photocopy.

International travel

A passport issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or a British Overseas Territory
A passport or passport card issued by an EEA state (Opens in new window), or a country whose citizens are Commonwealth citizens

Driving and Parking

A photocard driving licence issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or an EEA state (this includes a provisional driving licence)
A Blue Badge

Local travel

Older Person’s Bus Pass funded by the UK Government
Disabled Person’s Bus Pass funded by the UK Government
60+ London Oyster Photocard funded by Transport for London
Freedom Pass
a National Entitlement Card issued by a local authority in Scotland
60 and Over Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
Disabled Person’s Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
Senior SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
Registered Blind SmartPass or Blind Person’s SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
War Disablement SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
60+ SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
Half Fare SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland

Proof of age

Identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (a PASS card)

Digital ID

Veterans' card
e-visa

If you don't have an accepted form of photo I.D

You can apply for a free voter ID document, known as a Voter Authority Certificate, if:

you don't have an accepted form of photo ID
you're not sure whether your photo ID still looks like you
you're worried about using an existing form of ID for any other reason, such as the use of a gender marker

To apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate please visit Apply for photo ID to vote (called a ‘Voter Authority Certificate’) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) (external link)

Further proof of identity

You may be required to provide further proof of identity if there is any discrepancy between your name as shown on your form of photographic identification and the name of the elector (or proxy) you claim to be.

Polling stations

Polling stations will be open from 7.00am until 10.00pm on Thursday 7 May 2026. Your polling station can be found on your poll card when you receive it.

Alternatively, you can visit wheredoivote.co.uk (external link) or contact the Elections Office on 01695 585014 for more information.

Can't make it to the polling stations?

The deadline for applying to vote by post is 5pm on Tuesday 21 April 2026. You can apply by visiting Apply for a postal vote - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). You can also download a copy of the application form via the Postal and proxy votes link below.

The deadline for applying to vote by proxy is 5pm on Tuesday 28 April 2026. Applications can be made online at Apply for a proxy vote - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

You can also download a copy of the application form via the Postal and proxy votes link below.

However, in cases where unforeseen illness or incapacity occurs, you learn you cannot go to the polling station because of work reasons, or your Voter Id is lost/damaged/stolen, emergency proxy applications (paper forms only) can be made up until 5pm on Thursday 7 May 2026.

For details about emergency proxy votes please contact the office on 01695 585014. or elections.office@westlancs.gov.uk

Postal and proxy votes

Information for Candidates

A Candidates & Agents Briefing will take place virtually via Microsoft Teams on Monday 23 March at 5.30pm.

All briefing enquires should be directed to tom.lynan@westlancs.gov.uk, telephone number: 01695 585013.

Nomination Packs can be collected from the Elections Office on request or downloaded from the Electoral Commission. Please click here for Borough or Parish papers.
Nomination forms can be submitted from 9am-4pm (not including Bank Holidays and Weekends) on Friday 27 March - Friday 10 April 2026

If you require any further information or would like to arrange an appointment to collect or submit any paperwork please contact the Elections Office on 01695 585014 or email elections.office@westlancs.gov.uk

The Count and verification

Verification and the Count will commence at 10am on Friday 8 May 2026.

The count will take place at Burscough Wellbeing & Leisure Hub, Bobby Langton Way, Burscough, L40 0SD.

Entry is for Candidates, Agents and Invited Guests only. The deadline for candidates/agents to appoint Counting Agents is 5pm on Wednesday 29 April 2026.

The count is open to press but on a strictly ticket only basis. All media ticket requests should be directed to tom.lynan@westlancs.gov.uk, telephone number: 01695 585013.

Useful links:

This page will be updated regularly.

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