Upcoming elections

The government has decided to postpone county elections due in May 2025 in areas which are part of its priority programme for English devolution.

Ministers decided this was necessary to enable its ambitious programme of devolution and reorganisation of local government, including in East Sussex. It wants councils free to focus scarce resources on this democratic programme, including preparing for a mayoral election in May 2026 and for elections to new unitary councils.

It was the government's view that the alternative would have been to hold elections to a body which is not expected to continue in its current form. This would have cost more than £1.5 million of public money.

Ministers emphasised there is well-established precedent for postponing elections to enable reorganisation, including in North Yorkshire, Cumbria, Somerset and Buckinghamshire.

Ministers will now bring legislation to parliament to enable the new election timetable.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION - All electors voting in person at a polling station will now be required to show photographic identification in order to vote. For more information, please visit our page on the New Voter ID Requirements.

Langey and Upperton Ward By-Elections 

A poll to elect councillors to Langney and Upperton Wards due to the resignation of Anita Mayes in Langney and Robin Maxted in Upperton will take place on Thursday 1 May 2025. 

Key dates and deadlines

• Friday 11 April 2025 - last day to register to vote
• Monday 14 April, 5pm:
  • last day for us to receive your postal vote application
  • last day to cancel your postal vote
  • last day to change existing proxy arrangements
• Wednesday 23 April, 5pm:
  • last day for us to receive new proxy vote applications
  • last day for us to receive your Voter Authority Certificate application
• Friday 25 April - the first day to reissue replacement postal votes
• Thursday 1 May:
  • polls open from 7am to 10pm
  • count starts at 10pm after polls close

East Sussex County Council Elections

The government has decided to postpone county elections due in May 2025 in areas which are part of its priority programme for English devolution.

Ministers decided this was necessary to enable its ambitious programme of devolution and reorganisation of local government, including in East Sussex. It wants councils free to focus scarce resources on this democratic programme, including preparing for a mayoral election in May 2026 and for elections to new unitary councils.

It was the government's view that the alternative would have been to hold elections to a body which is not expected to continue in its current form. This would have cost more than £1.5 million of public money.

Ministers emphasised there is well-established precedent for postponing elections to enable reorganisation, including in North Yorkshire, Cumbria, Somerset and Buckinghamshire.

Ministers will now bring legislation to parliament to enable the new election timetable.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION - All electors voting in person at a polling station will now be required to show photographic identification in order to vote. For more information, please visit our page on the New Voter ID Requirements.