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A local council by-election happens when a councillor leaves their seat during their term.

A seat can become vacant when a councillor:

  • resigns or dies
  • is declared bankrupt
  • is disqualified from being a councillor 
  • is convicted of a serious criminal offence

When the seat becomes vacant, a local by-election will be called if an election is requested by electors registered to vote in the local area.

Who can vote in these elections

To vote at a local council by-election you must be registered to vote and:

  • be 18 years of age or over on polling day, or be over 16 years of age in Scotland and Wales
  • be a British, Irish or qualifying Commonwealth citizen, or a qualifying foreign national who is living in Scotland or Wales and has permission to enter or stay in the UK, or who does not need such permission
  • be resident at an address in the UK (or a UK citizen living abroad who has been registered to vote in the UK in the last 15 years)
  • not be legally excluded from voting

Find out more information about who is eligible to vote.

Voting in these elections

Local council elections in England use the first-past-the-post system.

Councillors in England sit for a four-year term. However, when a councillor is elected through a by-election, they will serve for the remainder of the original term. For example, if a by-election takes place one year after the scheduled local election for that seat, the councillor who is elected will serve for three years until the next scheduled local election.

Voting in these elections

Local council elections in Wales use the first-past-the-post system.

Councillors in Wales sit for a five-year term. However, when a councillor is elected through a by-election, they will serve for the remainder of the original term. For example, if a by-election takes place one year after the scheduled local election for that seat, the councillor who is elected will serve for four years until the next scheduled local election.

Voting in these elections

Local council elections in Northern Ireland use the single transferable vote system.

Councillors in Northern Ireland sit for a four-year term. However, when a councillor is elected through a by-election, they will serve for the remainder of the original term. For example, if a by-election takes place one year after the scheduled local election for that seat, the councillor who is elected will serve for three years until the next scheduled local election.

Voting in these elections

Local council elections in Scotland use the single transferable vote system which means that you vote using numbers. Your ballot paper will list all the candidates standing for election in your council ward.

Councillors in Scotland sit for a four-year term. However, when a councillor is elected through a by-election, they will serve for the remainder of the original term. For example, if a by-election takes place one year after a local election, the councillor who is elected will serve for three years until the next local election.

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