Skip to content

Where are local elections in Essex taking place?

Simon Dedman
BBC political reporter, Essex
PA Media A person is walking from left to right outside a polling station, which appears to be a church building. A sign reading polling station is tied to green metal railings outside the church.PA Media
Full council elections in Essex have been cancelled this year, but there are some by-elections.

Just like across much of England, local elections have been cancelled in Essex this year.

This is because local authorities are preparing for a major shake-up of local government, and elections for a Greater Essex mayor are expected in May 2026.

But there are still six by-elections taking place across the county because of councillors standing down.

Here is where voting will take place on 1 May.

Chelmsford Central and Moulsham

The entrance to County Hall in Chelmsford. It is a four or five-storey building. The facade is a mix of stone and glass. There are steps and white railings leading up to the entrance. There are flags on poles located outside.
Elections for Essex County Council were cancelled for this May. But there are by-elections in Chelmsford

There are three by-elections in Chelmsford.

Liberal Democrat Marie Goldman vacated her position on the county council and the city council to concentrate on her role as the city's MP - so both her two seats are up for grabs.

The Chelmsford Central division on the county council has tended to be tightly contested between the Lib Dems and the Conservatives.

Goldman took the seat from the Tories in 2021 by 203 votes.

Meanwhile, fellow Lib Dem Graham Pooley stepped back from his seat - for the Moulsham and Central ward on the city council - due to ill health.

Labour, Reform UK and the Greens are fielding candidates too.

A full list of candidates for both by elections are available on the city council website.

Ockendon, Thurrock

Matt Knight/BBC The Ockendon shopping precinct on a quiet grey day. A bronze sculpture is in the foreground. The rows of shops are located opposite one another, with flats above.Matt Knight/BBC
Ockendon in Thurrock has often been closely fought by local politicians

In Ockendon, voters will be able to choose two candidates for Thurrock Council on their ballot.

The former Conservative council leader Andrew Jefferies decided to stand down, as has Labour councillor Ryan Polston.

Ockendon has been one of the most closely fought wards in Thurrock. Labour won in 2024 after the Tories here in the previous four elections.

A decade ago, Nigel Farage's former party UKIP won seats in Ockendon. The Clacton MP's new party, Reform UK, fancies its chances here this year.

But it will have to contend with Greens, a Lib Dem candidate and an independent - as well as the two main parties.

A full candidate list can be found here.

Mark Hall, Harlow

Matt Knight/BBC A stone sculpture is in the foreground, and behind is a shopping parade in Harlow town centre. There are benches and lampposts sitting in-between the two rows of shops.Matt Knight/BBC
Harlow has often been a closely fought between the Conservatives and Labour

Mark Hall is an area to the north east of Harlow. The by-election is taking place after the Labour councillor quit.

The area is made up of a lot of post-war terraced housing, with parks and playing fields. To the north of the ward is the industrial area around Edinburgh Way.

This part of Harlow has traditionally been an area where Labour has won the most support. But the Conservatives won the council seat here in 2021 and UKIP in 2014.

A full list of candidates is available here.

Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.