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 Election notices and statements page. 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 between 10am and 12.30pm and 1.30pm and 4pm by 4pm on Thursday 9 April 2026 at the following address:
Somerset Council Electoral Services
Cannards Grave Road
Shepton Mallet
Somerset
BA4 5BT
Applications to register to vote must reach the Electoral Registration Officer by midnight on Monday, 20 April 2026. Applications can be made online via GOV.UK’s Register to vote page.
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 on the Electoral Commission’s Voter ID page.
You can still use your photo ID if it’s out of date, if it looks like you.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 via GOV.UK’s Apply for photo ID page, by post or in person.
Applications, amendments or cancellations of postal votes must reach the Electoral Registration Officer by 5pm on Tuesday, 21 April 2026, by post at:
Electoral Services
Somerset Council
County Hall
Taunton
TA1 4DY
or by hand to the Electoral Registration Officer at:
Electoral Services
Cannards Grave Road
Shepton Mallet
Somerset
BA4 5BT
Applications to vote by post can be made online via GOV.UK’s Apply for a postal vote page.
Applications to vote by proxy at this election must reach the Electoral Registration Officer by 5pm on Tuesday, 28 April 2026, by post at:
Electoral Services
Somerset Council
County Hall
Taunton
TA1 4DY
or by hand to the Electoral Registration Officer at:
Electoral Services
Cannards Grave Road
Shepton Mallet
Somerset
BA4 5BT
Applications to vote by proxy can be made online via GOV.UK’s Apply for a proxy vote page.
Applications to vote by emergency proxy at this election must reach the Electoral Registration Officer by 5pm on Thursday, 7 May 2026, by post at:
Electoral Services
Somerset Council
County Hall
Taunton
TA1 4DY
or by hand to the Electoral Registration Officer at:
Electoral Services
Cannards Grave Road
Shepton Mallet
Somerset
BA4 5BT
