Everything You Need To Know About The Sefton Council Elections Taking Place This May
- Sefton Bubble
- Apr 29
- 3 min read
Residents across Sefton are being urged to prepare for an important set of local elections taking place on Thursday 7 May 2026, when every seat on the council will be contested.
These are known as Whole Council Elections, meaning all 66 councillor positions will become vacant at the same time. This only happens following a major review of electoral boundaries and represents a significant moment for local democracy across the borough.
How the election works
Sefton is divided into 22 electoral wards, and each ward will elect three councillors.
However, not all successful candidates will serve the same length of time. This is because the council is resetting its election cycle following boundary changes.
The candidate with the highest number of votes in each ward will serve a four year term until May 2030
The candidate who finishes second will serve a two year term until May 2028
The candidate who finishes third will serve a one year term until May 2027
This staggered system ensures future elections return to a normal cycle.
Changes to ward boundaries
These elections follow a review carried out by the independent Local Government Boundary Commission. The aim is to ensure fair representation so that each councillor represents a similar number of residents.
While Sefton will still have 66 councillors, there have been changes to ward names and boundaries across the borough.
Some key points include:
There will now be 22 wards, each represented by three councillors
Many ward boundaries have changed, particularly in Bootle, Crosby and Formby
Southport has seen some smaller boundary adjustments
One ward has been renamed, with Molyneux now becoming Aintree and Maghull South
The full list of new wards includes areas such as Formby East, Formby West, Birkdale, Ainsdale, Waterloo, Great Crosby, Litherland, Maghull East and many more across Sefton.
Voting in person
If you are registered to vote, you will receive a poll card before election day. This will tell you where your local polling station is and when to attend.
Polling stations are typically open from 7 in the morning until 10 at night.
Even if you lose your poll card, you can still vote as long as you are registered.
When you arrive at the polling station, you will be asked to confirm your name and address and you must show an accepted form of photographic identification.
Photo ID requirements
Voter ID is now a legal requirement when voting in person.
Accepted forms of identification include:
A passport, including those from the UK, EEA or Commonwealth countries
A driving licence, including provisional licences
A Blue Badge
An older persons bus pass funded by the government
A disabled persons bus pass
A PASS card with the official hologram
A biometric immigration document
A Ministry of Defence identity card
Expired documents can still be used if the photograph remains a good likeness.
If you do not have any of these forms of ID, you can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate, which can be used instead.
Election schedule
The May 2026 elections form part of a wider election cycle across Sefton:
2025 had no scheduled elections
2026 sees the Whole Council elections
2027 will include local and parish elections
2028 will include local elections alongside Police and Crime Commissioner and Liverpool City Region Mayor elections
2029 is expected to be a fallow year but could include a General Election
Opportunities to get involved
The elections are also an opportunity for residents to take part in the democratic process beyond voting.
The elections team at Sefton Council regularly recruits staff to work at polling stations or assist with counting votes. These roles offer a chance to support the community while earning extra income and gaining valuable experience.
Find out more
For full details on the elections, ward changes, voter registration, photo ID requirements and how to get involved, residents are encouraged to visit the official Sefton Council website:
With every seat up for election, this is one of the most significant local votes in recent years. Making sure you are informed and prepared will help ensure your voice is heard.
Whole Council Elections 2026
Whole Council elections will be held on Thursday 7 May 2026. Whole Council elections take place following a review of the electoral boundaries. This means that all 66 seats on the Council will become vacant and new councillors will be elected.
Each of the 22 electoral wards will elect 3 councillors. The candidate who records the most votes will serve a 4-year term of office until May 2030. The candidate who records the second most number of votes will serve a 2-year term of office until May 2028.
The candidate who records the third most number of votes will serve a term of office of 1 year until May 2027.
Statement Of Persons Nominated
In alphabetical order:
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