The date has been set for a by-election in County Durham, and residents are being reminded to check their voter registration details.
A Durham County Council by-election will take place in the Craghead and South Moor County Division, in which a vacancy has arisen. However, as a vacancy has come up at the same time in the Craghead and South Stanley Ward of Stanley Town Council, the elections for both will be held on Thursday 19 November 2026.
Anyone on the electoral register and eligible to vote at the local authority’s election will receive a polling card with details of their voting preference, with cards being delivered to residents from tomorrow. Poll cards will inform residents whether they are registered to vote at a polling station or by post or by proxy.
The council is calling on residents who are not registered to vote, or who have recently moved house, to sign up online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote by midnight on Tuesday 3 November 2026.
Meanwhile, residents who are passionate about the Craghead and South Moor area and wish to have a say about its future are invited to stand as a candidate at the upcoming by-election.
Interested parties can request a nomination pack from Durham County Council by contacting electoral services on 03000 261212 or by emailing .
Prospective candidates can submit their nomination papers from tomorrow between 10am and 4pm each day to the Electoral Services Office, Council Offices, Green Lane, Spennymoor, County Durham, DL16 6JQ.
Nomination papers must be delivered by hand and the deadline for doing so is 4pm on Friday 23 October 2026.
Further information for prospective candidates and agents can be found at www.electoralcommission.org.uk and www.durham.gov.uk/BecomeACouncillor.
To vote, residents must also be able to provide an acceptable form of photo ID, which includes a passport, driving licence, or concessionary travel pass, such as an older person’s bus pass. A full list of acceptable forms of photo ID can be found on polling cards.
Voters without an acceptable form of photo ID can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate at www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate. Applications must be submitted by 5pm on Wednesday 11 November 2026. If voters need further help or information, they can contact electoral services on 03000 261212 or email .
Residents listed on the electoral register can request a postal or proxy vote. The simplest way to complete a postal or proxy vote application is via a new government portal, at www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote or at www.gov.uk/apply-proxy-vote.
The deadline for postal vote applications is 5pm on Wednesday 4 November, and 5pm on Wednesday 11 November 2026 for proxy vote applications.
