Hampshire’s 78 County Councillors represent all the people within their divisions and use their local knowledge to help the Authority make decisions on the £3.3 billion of local services provided each year to Hampshire’s 1.4 million residents (excluding Southampton and Portsmouth). To vote in the County Council election, residents must be on the electoral register. The deadline to register is 20 April.
Gary Westbrook, County Returning Officer and Hampshire County Council Chief Executive, said: “These elections give Hampshire residents the chance to influence the direction of the County Council. It only takes a few minutes to register online, and doing so ensures you can take part on 7 May and make your voice heard on the issues that matter to you and your community.”
Residents can vote in person, by post or by proxy, and anyone voting in person will need to bring an accepted form of photo ID.
The deadline to apply for a postal vote is 5pm on 21 April, and for a proxy vote the deadline is 5pm on 28 April.
Candidates standing in the elections will be formally announced by 10 April.
All information on how to register is available on the Hampshire County Council elections webpage.
Register to vote at gov.uk/register-to-vote.
Still time to register to have your say in May’s Hampshire County Council elections
Hampshire residents are being encouraged to check they are registered to vote ahead of the County Council elections on Thursday 7 May 2026, an important opportunity for people across the county to influence decisions that shape everyday services – from roads, schools and social care for vulnerable children and adults, to country parks, libraries and tips
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Mar 16 2026