A by election is due to be held in the Mendip Hills division for a vacancy on Somerset Council. The Notice of Election has been published on the Council’s website. If the elections are contested, local voters will be going to the polls on 7 May 2026.
Candidates’ nominations from prospective candidates must be delivered to the Returning Officer at at Somerset Council Electoral Services, Cannards Grave Road, Shepton Mallet, Somerset, BA4 5BT between 10am-12:30pm and 1:30pm-4pm by 4pm on Thursday 9 April 2026.
Applications to register to vote must reach the Electoral Registration Officer by midnight on Monday, 20 April 2026 Applications can be made online: https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote
People planning to vote in person at a polling station must provide photo ID – this can include a passport, driving licence or older person’s bus pass. The full list of acceptable ID can be found here: electoralcommission.org.uk/voterID
You can still use your photo ID if it is out of date, if it looks like you. The name on your ID should be the same name you used to register to vote.
Those without the necessary ID can apply for the FREE Voter Authority Certificate (VAC) – the deadline is 5pm on Tuesday 28 April. Applications can be made online, by post or in person.
Applications, amendments or cancellations of postal votes must reach the Electoral Registration Officer by post at Electoral Services, Somerset Council, County Hall, Taunton, TA1 4DY, or by hand at Electoral Registration Officer at Electoral Services, Cannards Grave Road, Shepton Mallet, Somerset, BA4 5BT by 5 pm on Tuesday, 21 April 2026.
Applications to vote by post can be made online: Apply for a postal vote – GOV.UK
Applications to vote by proxy at this election must reach the Electoral Registration Officer by post at Electoral Services, Somerset Council, County Hall, Taunton, TA1 4DY, or by hand at Electoral Registration Officer at Electoral Services, Cannards Grave Road, Shepton Mallet, Somerset, BA4 5BT by 5pm on Tuesday, 28 April 2026.
Applications to vote by proxy can be made online: Apply for a proxy vote – GOV.UK.
Applications to vote by emergency proxy at this election must reach the Electoral Registration Officer by post at Electoral Services, Somerset Council, County Hall, Taunton, TA1 4DY, or by hand at Electoral Registration Officer at Electoral Services, Cannards Grave Road, Shepton Mallet, Somerset, BA4 5BT by 5pm on Thursday, 7 May 2026.
