Candidates announced ahead of East Surrey Council elections
Names of candidates standing for election in the new East Surrey Council elections on 7 May have been published.
In total 379 candidates are standing for 72 seats across 36 wards in the East Surrey Council Elections.
Details of those standing can be found on the Future Surrey website www.surreylgrhub.gov.uk/candidates, where electors can search for who is up for election in their area. Candidates standing in the Tandridge District are also listed on the ’Statement of Persons Nominated’ on Tandridge District Council's website.
Those living in areas covered by Elmbridge, Epsom & Ewell, Mole Valley, Reigate & Banstead and Tandridge councils will vote in the East Surrey Council Elections.
Electors will be able to vote for up to two councillors to represent their ward in these elections.
What the new councillors be responsible for
Councillors elected to East Surrey Council in May 2026 will serve for five years, until May 2031.
In the first year they will work as part of a ‘shadow’ authority. During this period, they will set budgets and council tax for 2027/2028, agree staffing structures and governance arrangements, adopt codes of conduct and members’ allowance schemes and prepare for the transfer of responsibilities from the existing councils in Surrey.
The new councils will then officially take over from 1 April 2027, providing all the local council services you rely on including education, waste collection, roads, housing, play areas, children’s services, adult social care and more.
Make sure you’re ready to vote
Mari Roberts-Wood, Chief Executive at Reigate & Banstead Borough Council and Returning Officer for the East Surrey Elections said: “I’d like to encourage you to see who is standing for election in your area and use your vote on 7 May. The election is your opportunity to choose who you want to represent you and the issues that matter to you in your local area for the next five years. Make sure you’re ready to vote in these important elections.”
Other local polls
Existing county and district councillors will continue in their roles until 31 March 2027, so there will be no elections to these councils except where there are by-elections for vacant seats in particular wards.
On 7 May, a Surrey County Council by-election for the Warlingham division will take place. Details of candidates can be found on the Council’s website. Caterham, Chaldon and Whyteleafe also has a Neighbourhood Planning Referendum.
Don’t lose your vote
To be able to vote in these elections, you must be registered to vote by midnight on 20 April 2026. If you’re not already registered, register now at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.
To vote in person you must bring an accepted form of photo ID. These include a passport, a driving licence, or a concessionary travel pass, such as an older person’s bus pass. You can use expired IDs if the photo still looks like you. For a full list of accepted photo ID visit www.electoralcommission.org.uk/voterid.
If you don’t have an accepted form of photo ID, apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate (VAC) by 5pm on 28 April 2026 at www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate.
If you won’t be able to get to a polling station on election day, you can apply online for a postal vote or proxy vote at www.gov.uk/how-to-vote. Apply as soon as possible to make sure you receive your postal vote pack or proxy vote in good time. The deadline to apply for a postal vote is 5pm on Tuesday 21 April 2026. For a proxy vote – when a friend or relative you trust casts your vote for you – apply by 5pm on 28 April 2026.