Upcoming elections
West Sussex County Council and Horsham Parish Council Elections
West Sussex County Council and Horsham Parish Council Elections will take place on Thursday 7 May 2026.
For information about voting in a polling station, and voter ID, please visit our voting in person webpage.
If you have a postal vote, your pack will be despatched first class, around 17 April.
Information for Candidates & Agents
- For information about being a parish councillor please visit the National Association of Local Councils webpage.
- The Electoral Commission are hold a webinar for Candidates and Agents at Local Government Elections on 4 March at 12pm, please visit their website to register for the event.
| Event | Date | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Publication of Notice of Election | To be confirmed | |
| Delivery of nomination papers | 10am - 4pm, from the date stated on the Notice of Election | Guidance on completing nomination papers for Parish Council elections |
| Deadline for delivery of nomination papers | 4pm, Thursday 9 April 2026 | |
| Publication of Statement of Persons Nominated | By 4pm, Friday 10 April 2026 | |
| Deadline to Register to Vote | Midnight, Monday 20 April 2026 | Register to vote |
| Deadline to apply for a postal vote, or postal proxy, and for changes to existing postal or proxy votes | 5pm, Tuesday 21 April 2026 | Apply for a postal vote |
| Deadline to apply for a proxy vote, and voter authority certificate | 5pm, Tuesday 28 April 2026 | Apply for a proxy vote Apply for a VAC |
| Publication of Notice of Poll and Situation of Polling Stations | Tuesday 28 April 2026 | |
| First date to apply for a replacement postal ballot paper | Thursday 30 April 2026 | |
| Polling Day | 7am - 10pm, Thursday 7 May 2026 | |
| Count & declaration of result | Friday 8 May 2026 |
Candidate Information
Please visit the Electoral Commission website for detailed information in relation to expenses. Information on expenditure limits for joint candidates is available on the Electoral Commission website. The forms required for the return of expenses are available in the "After the Election" section of the Electoral Commission website.
Parish Council By-Election - Southwater Parish Council - Southwater South Ward
A by-election to elect a parish councillor for the Southwater South Ward of Southwater Parish Council has been called. If contested, a poll will take place on Thursday 12 March 2026.
| Event | Date | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Publication of Notice of Election | Thursday 5 February 2026 | Notice of Election - Southwater Parish Council - Southwater South Ward |
| Delivery of nomination papers | 10am - 4pm, Friday 6 February - Friday 13 February 2026 | Download a nomination pack |
| Deadline for delivery of nomination papers | 4pm, Friday 13 February 2026 | |
| Publication of Statement of Persons Nominated | By 4pm, Monday 16 February 2026 | Statement of Persons Nominated |
| Declaration of Result | Notice of Uncontested Election |
Candidate Information
Please visit the Electoral Commission website for detailed information in relation to expenses. Information on expenditure limits for joint candidates is available on the Electoral Commission website. The forms required for the return of expenses are available in the "After the Election" section of the Electoral Commission website.
Future elections
The following elections are scheduled to take place in the coming years:
- May 2027 - District & Parish Elections
- May 2028 - Sussex Mayoral Authority