Overview
This information is for:
- prospective candidates (a person who wants to stand for election)
- election agents (a person responsible for the proper management of the candidate's election campaign)
Within this guide an elector is a person who has a right to vote in elections in Newcastle upon Tyne.
Throughout the guidance "you" refers to the candidate.
The next scheduled Local Government Elections will be held on 7 May 2026 when all 78 seats will be contested after a local government boundary review.
What you need to know before you stand as a candidate
To stand for election in the UK, you must be qualified and importantly must not be disqualified. It is strongly advised that you refer to the Electoral Commission’s guidance on what it means to stand as a candidate.
Prospective candidates and agents briefing
There will be a briefing session for members of the public to find out more about standing for election and what it means to be a councillor.
The session will be held at 6pm on Wednesday 11 February 2026, in the Pandon Room, Newcastle Civic Centre, Barras Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8QH.
If you would like to attend this session, please register your interest by contacting Electoral Services via 0191 211 5137 or emailing candidatesandagents@newcastle.gov.uk
Following the close of nominations
After the close of nominations, all nominated candidates and their election agents will be invited to attend an in-person briefing session.
The briefing will give important information on the various election processes and regulations, including procedures at postal vote opening sessions, on polling day and at the verification and count.
The session will be held at the Civic Centre. This page will be updated with the date of the session once this is confirmed.
Please make sure you provide an email address for yourself and your election agent (where appointed) in the space provided on the nomination paper and on the appointment of election agent form so we can send a reminder to you.
The Returning Officer and Electoral Registration Officer
The Returning Officer (RO) is the person responsible for running the elections.
The Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) is responsible for maintaining the register of electors and absent voters' lists.
Pam Smith, Chief Executive of Newcastle City Council, is the Returning Officer and Electoral Registration Officer.
The Elections Team support the Returning Officer / Electoral Registration Officer and carry out the day-to-day tasks associated with maintaining the register.
Councillors
Councillors, represent the people living in the ward they are elected in. There are 26 wards in Newcastle upon Tyne. Each ward has 3 councillors who each serve a 4-year term.
Usually, one third of Council seats are elected each year – one in each ward. There are no local elections in the 4th year.
Following a review of Newcastle upon Tyne’s ward boundaries, at the next scheduled elections all 78 seats will be contested. This is also known as all-out elections.
The all-out elections will be held on Thursday 7 May 2026.