When’s the next election

Find out about local elections and when the next election is in the Epping Forest district.

Scheduled elections

By-elections, snap elections and referendums can be held at any time and will not be included in the list below until a notice of election is issued.

1 May 2025

22 May 2025

  • Ongar Town Council by-election on 22 May 2025 – find out more on Election news

7 May 2026

  • Epping Forest District Council election of 18 councillors (1/3rd of the total of 54 councillors) – 1 for each district ward

6 May 2027

  • Epping Forest District Council election of 18 councillors (1/3rd of the total of 54 councillors) – 1 for each district ward
  • Town and parish council elections for Waltham Abbey, Roydon, North Weald Bassett, Epping, Ongar, Sheering, Nazeing, Lambourne, Matching and Epping Upland

About local elections

Our local elections use the first-past-the-post (FPTP) electoral system.

Epping Forest District Council votes by thirds. This means a third of councillors (18 out of 54) are elected each year over a 4-year cycle. The fourth year is known as a fallow year and is when the county council elections take place.

Epping Forest District Council

District councillors are elected to represent their ward for 4 years.

Parish and town councils

Parish and town councillors are elected to represent their parish or town council for 4 years.

Essex County Council

County councillors are elected to represent their division for 4 years.

Police, fire and crime commissioner for Essex

The Essex PFCC is elected to represent Essex for 4 years.

UK Parliamentary

Also known as a general election. MPs are elected to represent their constituency for 5 years.

More information