There are 12 Wards in Havant each represented by 36 councillors. Havant Borough Council elect one third of the local councillors every 3 years and hold no election on the 4th year – this is known as a ‘Fallow year’. This means one councillor from each ward retires each election year.
The Councillor with the lowest number of votes from the election held in May 2024 will retire from the following wards -
Election notices will be published here as they become available
To vote in the election on Thursday 7 May 2026, you must be a registered elector. To register please follow the following link to register – www.gov.uk/register-to-vote
The deadline to be registered in time for 7 May 2026 is MIDNIGHT Monday 20 April 2026.
You can apply for a postal vote online at apply for a postal vote.
You won't need to present any ID as your identification is verified by your signature and date of birth on your postal voting statement compared to your signature and date of birth on your postal vote application form.
When you apply for a postal vote, you will need to provide proof of your identity. Applications will require ID verification (DOB, National Insurance Number and Signature)
The deadline to apply to vote by post OR cancel and amend an existing arrangement is 5pm on Tuesday 21 April 2026.
If you are unable to vote in person you can ask someone you trust to vote on your behalf. This is called a proxy vote.
There are different forms depending on the reason that you need a proxy vote.
The easiest way to apply for a postal vote is online at Apply for a proxy vote.
There is a limit to the number of people that can act as a proxy and voters would be limited to acting as a proxy for two people, regardless of their relationship. However, anyone voting on behalf of UK voters who live overseas could act as a proxy for up to four people.
The deadline to appoint a proxy is 5pm on Tuesday 28 April 2026.
The UK Government introduced legislation in 2022 requiring electors who vote at a polling station to show photographic identification (ID) before being given a ballot paper to vote.
For more information - including a full list of accepted forms of photographic ID - visit: Accepted forms of photo ID | Electoral Commission.
If your photo ID has expired, you can still use it if the photo remains a good likeness of you. But only original documents will be accepted; scanned images or copies will not be accepted.
If you or someone you know doesn't have one of these forms of photo ID available to use, then you can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate to use as your photo ID at the election instead. It will last for around 10 years and can be used for all elections during that time.
You can apply for your free voter authority certificate online at Apply for photo ID to vote.
The deadline to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate is 5pm Tuesday 28 April 2026.
You can search for your polling station ahead of any upcoming election by visiting the where do I vote? website. You will also find this information on your poll card. You can still vote if you’ve lost your card as you do not need to take your card with you in order to vote.
View a polling station map to find your polling station.
The initial run of postal packs are due to reach electors by 20 April 2026.
When voting by post, you should follow the instructions provided closely:
You can watch a short video on how to complete your postal vote on our YouTube channel
Take your completed and sealed postal vote pack to your local polling station by 10pm, or the council offices before it closes.
From May 2024, only voters, a family member or a designated carer will be able to hand in a postal vote pack. If you choose to hand in a postal pack to a polling station or a member of staff authorised to receive it, you will need to complete a Postal Vote Return Form.
There is also limit on the number of postal vote packs that you can hand in at a polling station or to an authorised person. Voters will not be allowed to hand in more than five postal vote packs (in addition to their own).
This guidance is for candidates and agents of Havant Borough Council elections, 7 May 2026. Please read the following guidance fully.
The Electoral Commission provide guidance on standing as a candidate.
You are encouraged to refer to the guidance when completing the nomination paper and throughout your campaign.
A briefing session for potential candidates and agents to cover the election process, as well as key events in the electoral calendar including polling day and the count, will take place on Wednesday 11 March at 5.30pm please email elections.office@havant.gov.uk so a link can be sent.
A downloadable nomination pack can be found below along with the nomination pack supporting documents. Alternatively, please contact the team on 02392 446225 for a printed version.
Electoral Commission – British Sign Language (BSL) videos
View the Electoral Commission site for easy read, large print and alternative languages for the Voter Authority Certificate form.