Guidance for Returning Officers administering Local Government Elections in England

The election timetable

We have published a non-date specific timetable for local government elections and by-elections containing the statutory deadlines as set out in the election rules, which can be used to assist you in your planning. 


A date-specific timetable will be available on our website ahead of scheduled polls. You can find a timetable for the May 2025 scheduled polls below.


You should ensure that you have contingency arrangements in place to enable you to respond and deliver a well-run election should a by-election arise. Once an election has been called you will need to review your plans and develop arrangements for the specific context and timetable of the poll.

Although they are ERO functions, for more information on the Voter Authority Certificate and Anonymous Elector's Document application deadline see our ERO guidance.

You can also find further information on the postal vote deadlines and proxy vote deadlines in our ERO guidance.

Last updated: 12 November 2024