Election types

Dates of upcoming elections for each type are provided below, as well as any key information you need to know. 

Further advice on the different types of elections is available on the Electoral Commission's website.

Previous election results 

You can view our previous election results for our most recent elections. 

UK Parliamentary elections

Parliamentary elections are held every five years. They determine which political party becomes the UK government, and elect MPs from across the country to form Parliament.

To vote in a general election, you must:

• be registered to vote
• be 18 or over on the day of the election (polling day)
• be a British, Irish or qualifying Commonwealth citizen
• be resident at an address in the UK (or a British citizen living abroad who has been registered to vote in the UK in the last 15 years)
• not be legally excluded from voting.

The council's area contains two parliamentary constituencies: New Forest East and New Forest West.

The Member of Parliament for the New Forest East constituency is Dr Julian Lewis (Conservative) and for the New Forest West constituency is Sir Desmond Swayne (Conservative).

Hampshire County Council elections

Elections for Hampshire County Council, originally scheduled for May 2025, will be postponed to May 2026. Any local by-elections that may be called will proceed as normal.

This is because Hampshire and the Solent has been accepted to participate in the Devolution Priority Programme.

County councillors use local knowledge to help make decisions on the essential services provided to its residents and communities.

For more information, visit the Hampshire County Council website.

To vote in a local government election, you must:

• be registered to vote
• be 18 or over (16 in Scotland) on the day of the election ('polling day')
• be a British, Irish, Commonwealth or EU citizen
• be registered at an address in the area you want to vote in
• not be legally excluded from voting.

If you are considering standing as a candidate in the next local elections, please read the Be a Councillor guidance produced by the Local Government Association. 

New Forest District Council elections

There are 26 wards in the New Forest and 48 elected members. 

All council seats are re-elected every four years. The most recent election took place on 4 May 2023.

The next scheduled elections are due to be held in May 2027. 

To vote in a local government election, you must:

• be registered to vote
• be 18 or over (16 in Scotland) on the day of the election ('polling day')
• be a British, Irish, Commonwealth or EU citizen
• be registered at an address in the area you want to vote in
• not be legally excluded from voting.

If you are considering standing as a candidate in the next local elections, please read the Be a Councillor guidance produced by the Local Government Association. 

Town and Parish Council elections

There are 37 town and parish Councils in the New Forest district.

All councils are re-elected every four years. The last town and parish council elections were last held on 4 May 2023. 

The next scheduled elections are due to be held in May 2027. 

To vote in a local government election, you must:

• be registered to vote
• be 18 or over (16 in Scotland) on the day of the election (polling day)
• be a British, Irish, Commonwealth or EU citizen
• be registered at an address in the area you want to vote in
• not be legally excluded from voting.

If you are considering standing as a candidate in the next town and parish elections, please read the guidance produced by the National Association of Local Councils. 

Police and Crime Commissioner elections

New Forest district is part of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police Area. 

There are 41 Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) in England and Wales who are elected to make sure the police forces are run properly. There is no elected PCC for London.

To vote in a PCC election, you must:

• be registered to vote
• be 18 or over (16 in Scotland) on the day of the election ('polling day')
• be a British, Irish, Commonwealth or EU citizen
• be resident at an address in England or Wales (excluding London)
• not be legally excluded from voting.

By-elections

By-elections are held when an existing councillor vacates their seat due to resignation, death, disqualification or expulsion.

We will publish dates for any forthcoming by-elections as they are called.

Referendums

Referendums are held when the public are asked to vote on a single political issue.

We will publish dates for any forthcoming referendums as they are called.

Neighbourhood planning referendums

The Localism Act 2011 places a duty on local authorities to hold referendums where a neighbourhood plan or order, or a Community Right to Build Order, has a successful examination. The local planning authority must be satisfied that it meets the basic conditions set out in the legislation.

We will publish dates for any forthcoming neighbourhood planning referendums as they are called.

Community governance reviews

Community governance reviews allow for the creation of new town and parish councils. 

We will publish dates for any forthcoming community governance reviews as they are called.