On Thursday 7 May 2026, Reigate & Banstead residents will have the opportunity to vote for the councillors they want to represent them on the new East Surrey Council. The new council will be responsible for delivering all council services across the geographic areas of Reigate & Banstead, Elmbridge, Epsom & Ewell, Mole Valley and Tandridge from 1 April 2027. This election guide explains what’s changing and how to get ready to vote on polling day.

Local government in Surrey is changing. From April 2027, Surrey County Council and all 11 district and borough councils will be replaced by two new unitary councils - East Surrey and West Surrey.

East Surrey Council will provide all the local council services you rely on, including education, waste collection, roads, housing, planning, play areas, children’s services, adult social care and more.

There will be 72 councillors across 36 wards in East Surrey - two per ward. This includes 20 councillors across 10 wards in the area currently covered by Reigate & Banstead Borough Council.

Initially, elected councillors will work as part of a ‘shadow authority’ to help set up the new council. They will set budgets and council tax for 2027/28, 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.

On 1 April 2027, East and West Surrey Councils will officially take over delivery of services, when Surrey County Council and the 11 district and borough councils (including Reigate & Banstead Borough Council) will be dissolved.

The candidates standing for election in each area are available on the Future Surrey website.

You can vote for up to two candidates in your ward.

The two candidates with the most votes will be elected. East Surrey councillors will serve for five years, until May 2031.

Existing county, borough and district councillors across the county will continue in their roles until 31 March 2027, so there will be no elections for these councils in May 2026, unless there is a by-election for a particular ward. There is one by-election in Reigate & Banstead.

There is a by-election to elect one Reigate & Banstead Borough councillor for Earlswood and Whitebushes ward. If you live in this area, you will be given an additional ballot paper. Please remember to vote for one candidate only (unlike in the East Surrey Council election where you are voting for two).

Make sure you don’t miss these deadlines: 

• Register to vote: by midnight, Monday 20 April 2026.
• Apply for a postal vote: by 5pm, Tuesday 21 April.
• Apply for a proxy vote: by 5pm, Tuesday 28 April.
• Apply for free Voter Authority Certificate (VAC): by 5pm, Tuesday 28 April.
• Election Day: Thursday 7 May, 7am-10pm.
• Postal votes returned by: 10pm, Thursday 7 May.

Electors can vote in person, by post or by proxy.

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. You’ll just need your National Insurance number and a few other personal details.

If you won’t be able to get to a polling station on election day, you can apply for a postal vote or proxy vote.

We'd encourage you to 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.

To vote in person at a polling station, you must bring an accepted form of photo ID. 

Accepted IDs can 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.

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.

If you are voting on behalf of someone else as their proxy, you will need to bring your own photo ID.

For a full list of accepted photo ID visit electoralcommission.org.uk/voterid

Polling cards began arriving from Monday 23 March, with a further despatch to be issued by 24 April. Your card shows:

• The date of the election
• Your polling station address
• Your voter number
• Your current voting method  - in person, postal or proxy

Check your polling station address and voting method carefully in case it has changed.

You don’t need to bring your poll card with you to vote, but it can help polling station staff find your details more quickly if you do.

If you vote by post, you will receive a postal vote pack. Packs are being sent out by 22 April, with a second despatch on 24 April.

• About the East Surrey elections and the changes in Surrey: Future Surrey website
• About the changes in Earslwood and Whitebushes by-election: Reigate & Banstead Borough Council
• About voting and elections, including accessible information in large print, easy read, British Sign Language and other accessible formats: Electoral Commission website
• For those without internet access, call our elections line: 01737 276 794