Millions of voters across England, Scotland and Wales will go to the polls on Thursday 7 May in the biggest set of elections since the 2024 general election.
Voters in Scotland and Wales will choose representatives for their national parliaments, while local council and mayoral elections will take place in parts of England.
In Northern Ireland, local council and Assembly elections are not due until May 2027.
Millions head to the polls in biggest election day since 2024, what is being decided?
In England, around 5,000 council seats across 136 local authorities are up for election, alongside six mayoral contests in Croydon, Hackney, Lewisham, Newham, Tower Hamlets and Watford.
The elections were originally due to be held in fewer areas, but ministers later confirmed they would go ahead in all 136 councils after legal advice following a challenge from Reform UK.
In Scotland, all 129 Members of the Scottish Parliament are being elected again. Voters will cast two votes: one for a constituency MSP and one for a regional MSP.
The Scottish Parliament is responsible for major areas including health, education, housing, policing and transport.
In Wales, the Senedd election will be the biggest change to the Welsh Parliament since devolution began in 1999.
The number of Members of the Senedd will rise from 60 to 96, elected from 16 new constituencies under a new system of proportional representation.
Who can vote?
To vote in the England local elections, you must be 18 or over. For the Scottish Parliament and Senedd elections, the voting age is 16.
You must also be registered at an address in the area where you want to vote and be a British or Irish citizen, or a qualifying foreign national, depending on the election and the rules that apply to your nationality.
Deadlines to know for May 2026 elections
To vote on 7 May, you needed to be registered by 23:59 BST on Monday 20 April. The deadline to apply for a postal vote has also passed, with the cutoff set at 17:00 BST on Tuesday 21 April.
There is still time to apply for a proxy vote if you are already registered, but the deadline is 17:00 BST on Tuesday 28 April.
How you can vote
There are three main ways to vote: in person at a polling station, by postal vote, or by proxy. Polling stations will be open from 07:00 BST to 22:00 BST on election day.
Some voters in parts of England will also be able to vote in different places or ahead of polling day as part of pilot schemes designed to make voting easier.
What ID do you need to vote?
Voters in England will need valid photo ID to vote in person, such as a passport or driving licence. Expired ID can still be used if you remain recognisable.
Those who do not have suitable ID can apply for a free voter authority certificate, and the deadline for that is 17:00 BST on Tuesday 28 April.
Voters in the Scottish Parliament and Senedd elections do not need photo ID to vote in person.
