Trinity ward by-election
On this page
A by-election will take place in Trinity ward on Thursday 27 August 2026, following the resignation of Councillor Lizzy Dobres.
The Notice of Election will be published on this page on Thursday 23 July.
Standing for election
If you are interested in standing as a candidate at the by-election, you can find guidance on the Electoral Commission website.
Download a nomination pack.
The Electoral Commission has created a video guide to completing nomination papers.
Email andrew.smith@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk if you have any questions.
Submitting a nomination
Candidates can formally submit their papers to stand from 10am on Friday 24 July until 4pm on Friday 31 July, by appointment only.
Email electoral@wandsworth.gov.uk for further details and to arrange an informal check of paperwork in advance.
Register to vote
The deadline to register to vote at the by-election is midnight on Tuesday 11 August 2026. You can register to vote online in less than 5 minutes on the GOV.UK website. You will need to have your National Insurance number to hand.
Official poll cards will be delivered to all registered electors from Friday 24 July 2026.
How to vote
There are three ways you can vote.
At your polling station
You can vote in person at your polling station. You will need to show photo ID. Find out about Voter ID and what types of ID are permitted.
If you don’t have suitable ID you can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate by 5pm on Wednesday 19 August 2026.
You can only vote at the polling station named on your poll card. You do not have to take your poll card with you to the polling station but it will help the staff if you do.
Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm on Thursday 27 August 2026. You should aim to arrive in plenty of time to cast your vote. Staff at the polling station can help you understand your ballot paper if needed.
If you cannot go to the polling station in person, you can apply to vote by post or by proxy.
By post
Postal vote packs will be sent first class via Royal Mail on 13 or 14 August.
When your ballot paper arrives, mark your vote and send it back so it arrives before 10pm on Thursday 27 August 2026. You must remember to complete the postal voting statement with your signature and date of birth.
If you do not get your vote back in time, it will not be counted. If you have forgotten to post it, you can take your completed postal vote (in the envelope provided) to a polling station in the ward between 7am and 10pm on Thursday 27 August 2026. However, an additional form must be completed if you hand deliver your postal vote otherwise it will be rejected.
The deadline for receiving new postal vote applications and for changes to existing postal or proxy votes, is 5pm on Wednesday 12 August 2026.
Find out more about voting by post including how to apply for a postal vote.
Using a proxy
If you are unable to get to your polling station, you can appoint someone you trust to vote on your behalf. This person is known as your proxy.
The deadline for receiving new applications to vote by proxy (not postal proxy or emergency proxies) is 5pm on Wednesday 19 August 2026.
Find out more about voting by proxy including how to apply for a proxy vote.
You will need to tell your proxy who you want to vote for. They will need to attend your designated polling station unless they apply for a postal proxy vote.
A postal proxy arrangement can only be put in place if the both the elector and proxy have applied by 5pm on Wednesday 12 August 2026.
Official notices
Official notices for this by-election will be published here.