The next scheduled election in Salford will be the Local Government Election on Thursday 7 May 2026.
This is where one councillor will be elected in each of the city’s 20 wards. Like all ten councils in Greater Manchester, Salford uses the one-third system when a third of seats are contested each year. Councillors are elected for a four year term followed by a ‘fallow’ year when there are no elections, like in 2025.
Salford residents can choose a councillor to represent them and their community. Councillors contribute to the development of local policies in areas such as social care, housing, planning, highways, and education.
Please note the below information - the legal requirement to show photo ID when voting and key dates for this election.
The results of the local election will be published on our election results page in the early hours of Friday 8 May 2026.
Deadlines
- Registering to vote deadline - Monday 20 April 2026
- Postal vote deadline - Tuesday 21 April 2026
- Proxy vote deadline - Tuesday 28 April 2026
- Voter Authority Certificate - Tuesday 28 April 2026
Find out about disability and accessibility support in polling stations.
Voter ID
The UK government requires all voters to show a photographic form of ID when voting at a polling station at some elections.
Visit the photo ID page on the Electoral Commission’s website for more details and to see the list of acceptable photo ID.
If you do not have one of the acceptable types of ID, you can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate on the government's website. You will need to provide a photograph with your application.
For more details including help and support locally in the city, please go to our voter ID webpage.
Key dates for voters
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Poll cards delivered | From Monday 30 March 2026 |
| Details of candidates published | Friday 10 April 2026 (after 4pm) |
| Deadline for registering to vote | Monday 20 April 2026 (midnight) |
| Deadline for the receipt of new postal vote applications and for changes to existing postal vote applications | Tuesday 21 April 20236(5pm) |
| Postal and proxy votes issued (by first class post) | Wednesday 22 April 2026 |
| Deadline for the receipt of new proxy vote applications | Tuesday 28 April 2026 (5pm) |
| First date that voters can apply for a replacement postal vote | Thursday 30 April 2026 |
| Deadline to apply for a replacement for lost postal votes | Thursday 7 May 2026 (5pm) |
Where is my polling station?
Polling stations for this year’s election will be confirmed soon.
Key dates for candidates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| First date that candidate information papers can be obtained | Thursday 26 March 2026 (from 8.30am) |
| Publication of Notice of Election | Monday 30 March 2026 |
| First day for the return of candidate nomination papers | Monday 30 March 2026 (from 8.30am) |
| Last day for the return of candidate nomination papers | Thursday 9 April 2026 (4pm) |
The candidate and agent briefing is currently scheduled for 5pm Thursday 10 March 2026.
Further election notices will be added to this webpage in due course.