EA Bulletin: 446 England

Ahead of the local council elections in May 2027, we want to update you on our plans for publishing updated guidance and supporting resources for ROs and those who want to stand for election.  

Guidance for Returning Officers

We are currently updating our core guidance and resources for Returning Officers to support preparations for the May polls. The updates are minor amendments that have been identified as part of the feedback from the polls only and we will be publishing these in November.  

To support you with planning for the May 27 polls now, we have already updated and published the project plan, risk register and timetable for the scheduled polls. We aim to publish the other supporting resources by the end of November.

We will be following our usual process for ordering polling station handbooks. An order form link will be circulated in December, with orders finalised in January, for delivery in March 2027.

Guidance for candidates and agents

We will be publishing our updated guidance and resources for candidates and agents in November. Again, these updates are minor amendments that have been identified as part of the feedback from the polls.

We are also developing animated guides to support the completion of nomination papers at Local Authority Mayoral and Combined (County) Authority Mayoral elections. This resource can be used to complement your briefings and local guidance and support for candidates and agents. We’ll be launching these later this year, and we will notify you through the Bulletin when they are available.

We will keep you updated on progress of all of our guidance updates through the Bulletin as usual, but in the meantime, if you have any queries, or need any further support, please contact your local Commission team at [email protected].

Thank you to all those who have already responded to our 2026 Canvass survey. We value the information provided by electoral administrators about the canvass, year-round registration and your feedback about the Commission's support.  

Please take the opportunity to complete the survey, using the link that was sent to you by your English regional team, by close of play Friday 25 September 2026.