Local Elections to Take Place Across Surrey

Published on: 5 Apr, 2023
Updated on: 7 Apr, 2023

A Shalford polling station in May 2019

By Chris Caulfield

local democracy reporter

Election day in Surrey takes place on May 4 this year but because of the way the county is broken up, not every poll will be the same.

Surrey operates under a two-tier system, so there is a county-wide council that sits atop of 11 boroughs and districts.

On May 4 it’s the boroughs and districts that go to the polls.

But even the boroughs and districts are holding different types of election.

In addition to Guildford borough with its redrawn ward boundaries, Epsom and Ewell, Surrey Heath, and Spelthorne, will have all out elections, where every councillor, in every ward will be decided on election day.

The same process is also happening in Mole Valley and Waverley. In Mole Valley there will be 13 new wards, down from 21, represented by 39 seats rather than the previous 41.

Waverley too has undergone major changes and instead of returning 57 members there will now only be 50 councillors.

The remaining five boroughs and districts, Elmbridge, Tandridge, Runnymede, Reigate and Banstead, and Woking will be going out in thirds.

This year will also be the first time people will be required to show photo ID to vote in person.

In previous elections, residents of Woking have taken part in the Government’s photo ID pilot tests.

The law was changed last year so that voters have to show photo ID before being issued a ballot paper in polling stations for general, local, police and crime commissioner elections, or any future referendum.

Responses to Local Elections to Take Place Across Surrey

John Lomas Reply

April 5, 2023 at 6:36 pm

Out of interest, when did Guildford change to all members standing at the same time?

I remember, as a child in the late 40s and 50s my mother used to vary between Conservative, Frank Sparrow, our family butcher, one year and Bill Bellerby, Labour, another.

If it was a three-year cycle, I can’t remember who she supported that year.

Editor’s response: I am afraid I can’t answer that question. Perhaps others can help? Guildford Borough Council came into existemce in 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972 with an amalgamation of the municipal borough of Guildford and Guildford Rural District. Elections have been held every four years since.
- John Lomas Reply
  
  April 6, 2023 at 3:51 pm
  
  I suspect that your reply has actually given the answer. It might well have been a consequence of the demise of the Municipal Borough of Guildford and Guildford Rural District.
  - George Potter Reply
    
    April 7, 2023 at 11:01 am
    
    There’s an excellent set of Wikipedia pages recording all elections in Guildford since the 1974 elections, and looking through them it definitely seems that all-up elections became the norm at the time of the merger of the Guildford Urban and Guildford Rural District’s councils.
    
    George Potter is a Lib Dem candidate for Burpham in the forthcoming borough council election.
Lisa Dittmar Reply

April 30, 2023 at 6:09 pm

Where can we find info about the candidates?

Editor’s response: Please see: Candidate Summaries – GBC Election 2023.

Author’s reply: This list is perfect, thank you!