Local Government Elections - Thursday 7 May 2026
Following changes to the ward boundaries in Sunderland, all 75 council seats were up for election, with three Councillors representing each of the 25 wards.
This is also known as an "all-out" election.
You can find out more about the local government boundary review, where decisions about the wards were made here: here.
Electors could vote for no more than three candidates in their ward.
Due to all of the council seats being up for election, in each ward, the terms of office for the elected members will be:
- The candidate with the highest number of votes will receive a four year term until May 2030
- The candidate with the second highest number of votes will receive a two year term until May 2028
- The candidate with the third highest number of votes will receive a one year term until May 2027
There will be no local government elections held in 2029 as it is a fallow year in our election cycle.
