What are elections?
Elections are a democratic process where citizens aged 18 and over elect candidates to represent them and their interests locally, nationally or internationally. The process is determined by a voting system, where citizens vote for one candidate. The candidate with the majority of votes is elected. Anyone who is enrolled on the Electoral Register is able to vote. There are four different types of election:
1. Local government elections
Borough Council Elections
West Lancashire has 15 wards, 45 councillors and 21 Parish Councils. Councillors are elected by a simple majority and serve for four years. Council elections are held for three years in every four. Casual vacancies can sometimes occur due to factors such as retirement, illness or death.
The most recent Borough Council Elections were held on 2 May 2024. For results visit the election results page.
Some parish councils also hold elections. On 1 May 2025 Rufford Parish - Holmeswood Ward was contested.
To make sure you’re registered to vote at elections visit our electoral register page or contact the elections office. Contact details are in the contact panel on the right of this page.
The next Borough Council elections will take place on Thursday 7 May 2026.
Lancashire County Council Elections
County Council elections are held every 4 years.
The most recent County Council elections were held on Thursday 1 May 2025. To find out more about the results of these elections visit Lancashire County Council's (external link) website.
The next County Council Elections will take place in May 2029.
2. UK Parliamentary Elections
The West Lancashire borough is served by the West Lancashire Parliamentary Constituency.
The wards of North Meols and Hesketh Bank, Tarleton Village and 3 Polling Districts within Burscough Bridge & Rufford Ward together form part of the Constituency for South Ribble.
Each constituency returns one MP on a simple majority. A government serves for a maximum of five years before dissolving. However, the government may call a parliamentary (or 'general') election at any time during the five-year period. By-elections may occur due to factors such as retirement, illness or death.
The most recent Parliamentary Election was held on Thursday 4 July 2025. To find out more about more about Parliamentary elections visit the Electoral Commission (external link).
3. Police and Crime Commissioner Elections
Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) make sure that the local police in their area are meeting the needs of the community. Police, Fire and Crime Commissioners (PFCCs) are also responsible for local fire and rescue services for their area.
PCCs aim to cut crime and deliver an effective and efficient police service within their police force area. They are elected by the public to hold the police force to account on their behalf.
Police and Crime Commissioners:
- make sure the police force budget is spent effectively
appoint the chief constables of the local police force
engage with the public and victims of crime to help set police and crime plans
work closely with the local council and other community organisations on these plans and projects
The last Police and Crime Commissioner Election took place on 2 May 2024. To find out more about the result of the election please access Elections - Lancashire Police Crime Commissioner.
The next PCC Election will take place in May 2028.
