The traditional 6-week build-up to the local election in the borough started this morning (Monday 30 March), ahead of the polling day on Thursday 7 May.

The official ‘pre-election period’ ahead of the vote gives local political parties the opportunity to campaign before the big day – when you can choose your preferred candidates to represent your neighbourhood (‘ward’) on Ealing Council for the next 4 years.

Residents who are registered to vote will receive their polling cards this week. The cards will let you know where to vote and give you key information ahead of election day.

Are you registered?

Ealing Council is encouraging residents who are not yet registered to vote to do so as soon as possible.

You are not automatically registered to vote, even if you pay council tax. If you have moved address in the last year, or changed your details, it is especially important to make sure you are registered as soon as possible.

Unless you are registered, you cannot vote and you will miss a critical opportunity to have your say on what happens where you live and the services on offer in your community. Not being registered could also affect your credit rating.

The deadline to register to vote in the local elections is 11:59pm on Monday 20 April and can be done on the government’s website.

Want to vote by post?

Residents who are registered to vote can vote by post, instead of visiting your polling station on election day. Applications to vote by post must be completed on the government’s website before 5pm on Tuesday 21 April. 

What am I voting for?

You live in one of the borough’s 24 wards (neighbourhoods). Each ward is represented by councillors you can help to choose on election day.

You can view a map of the wards on the council’s website. If you are not sure which ward you live in, you can also search by post code on the council’s website.

In total, 70 councillors will be elected across the borough (with 2 or 3 from each ward), to sit on Ealing Council.

The council provides hundreds of services to local residents and businesses – everything from social care to recycling and from schools to food hygiene inspections. And the council’s priorities, and budgets, are ultimately set by its councillors. Your vote can influence who those councillors are and the decisions they make on your behalf.

The big day

Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm on the day of the election – Thursday 7 May. People can find their nearest polling station on the council’s website. link

For more information about the local election, you can contact the council’s elections team by phone on 020 8825 7777 between 8:30am and 5pm (Monday – Friday) or by emailing elections@ealing.gov.uk