About elections
For electoral purposes the Borough of Brentwood is divided into wards, which are further sub-divided into polling districts.
Electors who are eligible to vote at a particular election or referendum will receive a polling card shortly before polling day, telling them where to vote. There are special arrangements for people who cannot get to a polling station to apply for a proxy or postal vote. Further details can be found in the section on postal and proxy voting.
Elections to the Borough and County Councils
Elections take place each year for local councillors, either at Borough Council or County Council level.
Following the review of ward boundaries which took effect in May 2024, the Borough is divided into 13 wards, each of which have three borough councillors. Elections are by thirds, meaning that one seat in each ward will be contested at the next scheduled elections in May 2026.
Elections to Essex County Council are held every four years. There are four County Council divisions in the Brentwood area, each with one seat. The next Essex County Council elections are scheduled to be held in May 2025 on revised division boundaries.
Electors may also live in an area that has a Parish Council for which elections take place every four years. Find out more about parish council elections.
UK Parliamentary elections
Brentwood is in the Parliamentary constituency of Brentwood & Ongar. MPs are elected for a period of up to five years but a general election can be called earlier. At the last UK Parliamentary Election on 4 July 2024, Michael Alex Burghart was returned to Parliament for the Brentwood & Ongar Constituency.
Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (PFCC) election
Elections for the post of Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for the Essex Police Area are held every four years. The next election is due to be held in May 2028.
For more information about the role of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, visit Gov.uk: police and crime commissioner or Essex Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.
Neighbourhood Plan Referendums
A Referendum on the Ingatestone and Fryerning Neighbourhood Plan was held on 4 August 2022.
More than half of those voting were in favour of the Neighbourhood Plan for Ingatestone & Fryerning.
View the Declaration of result of poll (PDF) and find out more information about the Neighbourhood Plan Referendum process.