Scheduled elections

The next scheduled local government elections in the Bradford district will take place on Thursday, 6 May 2027.

30 seats for Bradford Council will be up for election on 6 May 2027 - one seat per ward. Successful candidates will be elected for a four-year term of office.

Elections will also take place on Thursday 6 May 2027 for all seats of the parish and town councils within the Bradford district.

At the May 2026 elections, residents voted for up to three candidates to elect councillors to the new ward arrangements for Bradford Council.

The term of office for each councillor elected in May 2026 is as follows:

• The candidate with the highest number of votes in the ward received a four-year term until May 2030
• The candidate with the second highest number of votes in the ward received a two-year term until May 2028
• The candidate with the third highest number of votes in the ward received a one-year term until May 2027

Scheduled elections in the Bradford district

*The last UK Parliamentary general election was on 4 July 2024. The next general election will take place in 2029, unless the Prime Minister calls it earlier than the 5-year period.

Election cycles

• District Council elections are held every year for three years and then not held in year four**
• Parish and Town Council elections are held every 4 years
• UK Parliamentary elections are held every 5 years unless the Prime Minister calls it earlier than the 5-year period
• West Yorkshire Mayoral elections are held every 4 years

**in May 2026 all 90 council seats were up for election due to ward boundary changes.

Information about becoming a candidate is available from:

• Electoral Commission: Guidance for candidates and agents at local elections in England
• Electoral Commission: Guidance for candidates at parish council elections in England
• GOV.UK: Become a councillor