Guidance for Candidates and Agents at local government elections in England

Allocation of seats if scheduled elections have been combined with local by-election

Where a local by-election has been combined with a scheduled local election to the same ward, seats are allocated according to the number of votes obtained by the winning candidates.1

For example, in the case of a scheduled election to a ward with one vacancy that has been combined with a by-election to the same ward, the candidate with the most votes is allocated the seat vacated due to the scheduled election. This is because this seat carries the longest term of office. The person with the second highest number of votes is then allocated the by-election seat.
 

Last updated: 1 December 2023