Voters across Swindon are being urged to check they are registered and ready to cast their ballot as the Borough heads towards a full set of local elections on Thursday 7 May.
For the first time since 2012, every one of the 57 seats on Swindon Borough Council will be contested at the same time. All parish council seats will also be up for election on the same day.
The result will determine the political make-up of the Council for the next four years.
The move to so-called ‘whole council’ elections follows a unanimous vote by councillors at an extraordinary meeting in October 2023. Under the new system, all Borough councillors will now be elected together every four years, beginning in May 2026.
This will also be the first local election held under Swindon’s newly drawn ward boundaries. Changes were introduced following a review by the Local Government Boundary Commission between 2023 and 2025, which included several rounds of public consultation.
Swindon now has 25 electoral wards made up of 10 three-member wards, 12 two-member wards and three single-member wards. Boundaries have changed in 24 of those wards, with one remaining the same. On average, each councillor represents 3,109 electors.
Residents planning to vote in person are reminded that photographic identification will be required at polling stations. Accepted forms include passports, photocard driving licences, older person’s or disabled person’s bus passes and Blue Badges. Those without suitable identification can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate.
Changes to national election law mean postal votes now last a maximum of three years. Anyone who set up a postal vote before 31 October 2023 will have seen it expire on 31 January 2026 and must reapply if they wish to continue voting by post. Swindon Borough Council says affected electors have been contacted directly.
Voters who are unable to attend their polling station on the day can instead apply for a proxy vote, allowing a trusted person to cast a ballot on their behalf.
Polling stations will be open from 7am until 10pm on Thursday 7 May.
Sam Mowbray, Returning Officer for Swindon, said the scale of the election made preparation particularly important.
“May’s elections will see every council seat across Swindon contested at the same time,” he said. “Electors should look out for their poll cards arriving in late March and make sure they understand what they need to do ahead of polling day.
“Anyone voting by post should check whether they need to renew their application, and those voting in person must remember to bring accepted photo identification. Preparing early will help ensure everyone who wishes to take part can do so.”
Key election deadlines:
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Register to vote: midnight, Monday 20 April
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Apply for or renew a postal vote: 5pm, Tuesday 21 April
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Apply for a proxy vote: 5pm, Tuesday 28 April
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Apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate: 5pm, Tuesday 28 April
Further details on registration, postal and proxy voting, and voter identification are available via Swindon Borough Council’s website.
