Frequency of elections
| Elections | Elected | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Local Council | One Councillor per ward per year, see: Search for your councillor |
Annually, three years out of every four. No elections held in the fourth year (2025). Note: All three seats per ward will be elected in 2026 due to Ward boundary changes. |
| Parish Council | All Parish Councillors, see: Parish Councillors. | Every four years. |
| UK Parliamentary | There are two constituencies in Calderdale, Calder Valley County and Halifax Borough. Each elects one member to Parliament, see: Local MPs. | Every five years. |
| West Yorkshire Combined Authority Mayor | There is one West Yorkshire Mayor. | Every four years. (Note: The first office term was for three years only.) |
Business Improvement Districts (BIDs)
Planned ballots
Halifax BID Renewal:
- Date to be confirmed.
For more details, please see: Business Improvement Districts (BIDs).
Casual vacancies and by-elections
If a councillor leaves their seat during the course of their term, a casual vacancy occurs. This can be due to resignation, passing away, being disqualified (or ceasing to be qualified) or not taking office.
The rules for casual vacancies are different for District and Town/Parish Councils.
District Council
When a councillor's seat becomes vacant a Notice of Vacancy will be displayed to advertise that vacancy. The notice explains that an election can be called:
- By a request made in writing to the Council's Proper Officer by two electors from the Local Authority area.
- If an election is called it must be held within 35 days of the notice.
- An exception is when a vacancy occurs within six months of the next scheduled elections:
- The vacancy is carried over to the next elections.
- The seat will stay vacant during that time and no by-election will be held.
Town and Parish Councils
When a councillor's seat becomes vacant the Town/Parish Clerk will notify our Elections Team. The Clerk will display a Notice of Vacancy in the parish area, which states an election can be called:
- By a written request to the District Council's Proper Officer by 10 electors from the parish area;
- within 14 working days of the date of the notice.
If an election is called it must be held within 60 days of the notice. If no request is received:
- The Town/Parish Council can co-opt someone into the vacant seat and choose who they want to appoint.
The Notice of Vacancy must run its course before the Town/Parish Council can co-opt a new councillor.
- This gives the electors of the parish a chance to call an election, if they wish to.
- If the vacancy occurs within six months of the next scheduled elections, then no election is held.
- The seat can stay vacant until the next elections or the Council can choose to co-opt into the vacant seat.
By-elections
If an election is called after a Notice of Vacancy being displayed, this is known as a by-election.
- This just means an election that is held outside of the normal scheduled timetable of elections for that Council.
- The date for the election will be set within the timescales set out above.
- The election is then advertised by the publication of a Notice of Election. This marks the start of the election process.
For more details, please see: Casual vacancy notices.
Local (District)
Last election
- Thursday 2nd May 2024.
Next scheduled elections
Note: All three seats per ward will be elected in 2026 due to Ward boundary changes.
- Thursday 7th May 2026.
For more details, please see: Local elections.
Non-scheduled elections
- See: Casual vacancy notices.
Parish and Town Council
Last election
- Thursday 4th May 2023.
Next scheduled elections
- Thursday 6th May 2027.
Non-scheduled elections
- See: Casual vacancy notices.
UK Parliamentary
Last election
- Thursday 4th July 2024.
Next scheduled election
- To be confirmed.
West Yorkshire Combined Authority Mayor
Last election
- Thursday 2nd May 2024.
Result
- Please visit: West Yorkshire Combined Authority Mayoral election (Leeds Council).
Next scheduled election
- Thursday 4th May 2028.