Get ready to vote in elections for new Surrey Councils

On Thursday 7 May, electors in Surrey will have the opportunity to vote for who they want to represent them on the new West Surrey Council or East Surrey Council, depending on where they live. These elections are part of the changes to local government in Surrey, with the new councils due to take over local government services from 1 April 2027.

What is changing?

From Thursday 1 April 2027, the existing county council and 11 district and borough councils will be replaced by two new unitary councils. Each new council will be responsible for all local services in its area. Guildford, Runnymede, Spelthorne, Surrey Heath, Waverley and Woking will be part of West Surrey Council. Elmbridge, Epsom and Ewell, Mole Valley, Reigate and Banstead, and Tandridge will be part of East Surrey Council.

Why these elections matter

Councillors elected in May 2026 will serve for five years, until May 2031. They will first work as part of a shadow authority to prepare for the change to the new councils, including setting budgets, agreeing governance arrangements and preparing for the transfer of responsibilities from the existing councils.

Guildford area

West Surrey Council will have 90 councillors covering 45 wards. There are ten electoral wards in the Guildford borough area: Ash, Guildford East, Guildford North, Guildford South East, Guildford South West, Guildford West, Horsleys, Shalford, Shere and Worplesdon. Electors will be able to vote for up to two councillors to represent their ward. In Guildford, there is also a by-election for Onslow Ward on Thursday 7 May.

How to vote

To vote in these elections, you must be registered by midnight on Monday 20 April 2026. Electors can vote in person, by post or by proxy. If you vote in person, you must bring an accepted form of photo ID. If you do not have an accepted form of photo ID, you can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate by 5pm on Tuesday 28 April 2026.

Deadlines

The deadline to apply for a postal vote is 5pm on Tuesday 21 April 2026. The deadline to apply for a proxy vote is 5pm on Tuesday 28 April 2026.

Find out more

For full details about the new Surrey councils, election arrangements, candidates and key dates, please visit the Future Surrey elections website.

For information about registering to vote, postal votes, proxy votes and local election services, visit the Guildford voting and elections pages. You can also email electoralservices@guildford.gov.uk or call 01483 444115.