Milton Keynes local elections - what's changing this year

The changes follow an independent review and two public consultations by the Local Government Boundary Commission - the national body that draws boundaries for English elections.

As populations change over time, the Commission routinely checks an area’s boundaries to ensure councillors represent roughly the same number of electors. Milton Keynes’ boundaries were last reviewed and redrawn in 2014.

The Commission laid out its final recommendations last year, which included the number of councillors increasing from 57 to 60 and wards increasing from 19 to 21. It also proposed 19 three-councillor wards, one two-councillor ward (New Bradwell), and one single-councillor ward (Hanslope).

The new boundaries can be found on the Commission’s website. Your polling card, which you will receive in early April, will share which ward you live in.

Although some councils across the country have asked to delay their elections because they’re becoming unitary authorities, this will not happen in Milton Keynes. Milton Keynes City Council is already a unitary authority, and elections will go on as planned.

Registering to vote is quick and easy. It takes just five minutes, and you will need your National Insurance number. Your registration must be made before April 20 to vote in the May local elections in Milton Keynes.

More information about the May 2026 election can be found at www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/elections-2026.

Other important deadlines:

• Applications for a postal vote should be made before 5pm on Tuesday, April 21
• For someone else to vote on your behalf (called a proxy vote) you should apply before 5pm on Tuesday, April 28
• Accepted photographic ID must be brought to the polling station to vote in person. You can apply for a free Voter ID (known as a Voter Authority Certificate) before 5pm on Tuesday, April 28