When’s the next election

Scheduled elections

This list below does not include by-elections, snap elections or referendums which can be held at any time.

1 May 2025

1. Essex County Council election of 7 county councillors representing the Epping Forest district – Essex County Council elections suspended 5 February 2025
2. Ongar Town Council by-election 22 May 2025

7 May 2026

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

6 May 2027

1. Epping Forest District Council election of 18 councillors (1/3rd of the total of 54 councillors) – 1 for each district ward
2. 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 – 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 – elected to represent Essex for 4 years
• UK Parliamentary (also known as general elections) – MPs are elected to represent their constituency for 5 years

Epping Forest District Council votes by thirds. This means that a third of councillors (18) are elected every year over a 4 year cycle. There is no district council election in the fourth year.