What the Election Timetable Means in Practice | Solihull Council Elections 2026

Keeping Ahead of the Election - Solihull Election Coundown 20269

What the Election Timetable Means in Practice

An explanation of how the official election timetable affects council decision-making, scrutiny, and accountability.

Event	Date & time	What this means in practice
Publication of Notice of Election	Tuesday 24 March 2026	This marks the start of the pre-election period. From this point, councils normally avoid major new decisions, announcements, or consultations. Outstanding governance or scrutiny issues are unlikely to be resolved before polling day.
Receipt of nominations	4:00pm Thursday 9 April 2026	Deadline for standing as a councillor. After this point, the choice of candidates available to voters is fixed.
Withdrawal of candidate	4:00pm Thursday 9 April 2026	Candidates may withdraw up to this deadline, subject to electoral rules
Appointment of election agents	4:00pm Thursday 9 April 2026	Campaign activity becomes formally regulated and overseen by appointed agents.
Publication of Statement of Persons Nominated	4:00pm Friday 10 April 2026	The final list of candidates is published. Public debate now focuses on candidates rather than new council actions.
Last date for voter registration	Monday 20 April 2026	Residents must be registered by this date to vote in the election.
Receipt of postal vote applications	5:00pm Tuesday 21 April 2026	Deadline to apply to vote by post.
Last day for Voter Authority Certificates	5:00pm Tuesday 28 April 2026	Deadline for voters who need alternative identification arrangements.
Publication of Notice of Poll	Tuesday 28 April 2026	Confirms polling arrangements. By this stage, normal council business is largely paused and attention shifts to election administration.
Receipt of proxy vote applications	5:00pm Tuesday 28 April 2026	Final standard deadline for appointing a proxy voter.
Appointment of poll and count agents	Wednesday 29 April 2026	Candidates appoint observers for polling stations and the count.
First day to issue replacement postal ballots	Thursday 30 April 2026	Administrative safeguard for postal voters who have lost their ballot papers.
Last day to issue replacement postal ballots	5:00pm Thursday 7 May 2026	Absolute deadline on polling day.
Receipt of emergency proxy vote applications	5:00pm Thursday 7 May 2026	Limited emergency provisions apply on polling day itself.
Day of poll	7:00am–10:00pm Thursday 7 May 2026	Voters elect councillors. Any unresolved governance or scrutiny issues are carried forward to the next council.
Return of election expenses	Friday 12 June 2026	Candidates must submit campaign spending returns after the election. This does not affect pre-election council decisions.