Polls close in West Midlands local elections

Polls for the 2026 local elections have now closed across the West Midlands, with voters across the region having had their say on who they want to represent them.

Ballot papers will now be counted, with results expected throughout the day on Friday.

In the region, there are all-out elections in Birmingham, Coventry, Walsall, Sandwell, Solihull and Newcastle-under-Lyme.

A third of seats are up for election in Dudley, Wolverhampton, Tamworth, Cannock Chase and Redditch.

There are no elections being held in Shropshire and Herefordshire.

Across England, about 5,000 seats across 136 local councils are up for grabs with six mayoral contests also being held.

Like MPs, local councillors are elected under the first-past-the-post system.

Overnight counts are expected in Dudley, Tamworth, Newcastle-under-Lyme and Redditch, with the results expected to be announced in the early hours.

Most councils, however, will start counting on Friday, with the first of them expected to declare in the afternoon.

The candidate or candidates with the most votes in each ward win and become councillors.

The councillors who are elected are responsible for representing their local area, providing community leadership and voting on decisions in meetings.

It is also worth noting that councillors are not paid a salary. Instead, they receive an allowance to cover costs such as childcare and travel, with many working another job alongside their council role.

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