Election Day - Thursday 7 May 2026

Information about the Borough Council Elections and Welwyn Neighbourhood Plan Referendum

Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council Elections

All 16 wards will have elections. There is also a casual vacancy on the Borough Council in Welwyn East ward following the death of Roger Trigg. 

Of the 16 wards up for election, there are 5 Conservative seats, 2 Green seats, 4 Labour seats and 6 Liberal Democrat seats. 15 wards will have one seat filled and 1 ward will have two seats filled.

Neighbourhood Plan Referendum – Welwyn Parish

A referendum relating to the adoption of the Welwyn Neighbourhood Development Plan will be combined with the Borough Council elections.  The question which will be asked in the Referendum is “Do you want Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council to use the neighbourhood plan for Welwyn to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?”

The Welwyn Neighbourhood Plan, Basic Conditions and Compliance Statement, Planning Statement, Information Statement, Examiner’s Report and Welwyn Neighbourhood Plan representations can be viewed in Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council’s Neighbourhood Planning section.

Notice of Election

• Borough Council Elections
• Neighbourhood Plan Referendum

Applications for electoral registration

To vote in the elections or the referendum, you must be included in the register of electors.  If you are not already registered, you can register online using the Register to Vote - Government Website or contact Electoral Services by email: elections@welhat.gov.uk or by telephone on 01707 357300 to request an application form.

All registration applications must be received by the Electoral Registration Officer by 12 midnight on Monday 20 April 2026.

Absent Voting - by post or by proxy

If you are included in the Welwyn Hatfield register of electors, you can apply to vote by post or by proxy.

You can contact Electoral Services by email: elections@welhat.gov.uk or by telephone on 01707 357300 to request a paper application form if you are unable to use the portal or download a form.  When completed it can be emailed to elections@welhat.gov.uk and must arrive by the relevant deadline.

Please note that the above absent voting applications require your personal identifiers - date of birth, signature, and National Insurance Number, and must be completed correctly.

Voter ID

The UK Government introduced a requirement for voters to show photographic identification when voting at a polling station.  You may already have a form of photo ID that is acceptable.  You can view a list of acceptable forms of ID at Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council's Voter Authority Certificate (voter ID) section.  If you have a postal vote, you do not need to provide any photographic identification.

If you do not already have an accepted form of photo ID, or you're not sure whether your photo ID still looks like you, you can apply for a free voter ID document, known as a Voter Authority Certificate.  Applications for a Voter Authority Certificate or an Anonymous Elector's Document valid for these elections must reach the Electoral Registration Officer at Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council, Room F6, The Campus, Welwyn Garden City AL8 6AE by 5pm on Tuesday 28 April 2026. You can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate online at Electoral Commission Voter ID or contact Electoral Services by email: elections@welhat.gov.uk or by telephone on 01707 357300 to request a paper application form.

Emergency proxy application

An emergency proxy may be granted where the emergency has occurred after 5pm on Tuesday 28 April 2026 on the grounds of a physical incapacity, for work/service reasons or attendance at a training or educational course.

You must complete the form correctly.  Applications must be received by the Electoral Registration Officer by 5pm on Thursday 7 May 2026.  Please contact Electoral Services on 01707 357300 for advice if this is required.

Polling Station Changes

There have been changes to polling stations in three wards:

• Welwyn East Ward - The polling station for polling district ABB will be Digswell Tennis Club, Digswell Park Road, Welwyn AL6 0DA.  This has replaced Digswell Village Church which is unavailable for use as a polling station. 
• Peartree Ward - The polling station for polling district BBB will be Trinity Hall, 141 Woodhall Lane, Welwyn Garden City AL7 3TP.  This has replaced Woodhall Community Centre which is no longer available for use as a polling station. 
• Howlands Ward - The polling station for polling district BDA will be Douglas Tilbe House, Hall Grove, Welwyn Garden City AL7 4PH.  This has replaced Ludwick Family Club which is unavailable for use as a polling station. 

Please check your poll card for polling station details and maps.

Information for Candidates and Agents

Information, paperwork and guidance for standing as a candidate and nomination packs are available from the Electoral Commission Website:

Guidance for Candidates or Agents