Norfolk County Council - Old Catton Division By-Election - 16 July 2026
Due to the resignation of Mark Tucker, there was a vacancy in the Old Catton division for Norfolk County Council.
Following the receipt of a valid election request, a by-election for this vacancy was held on 16 July 2026.
All statutory notices and related election information have been published on this page.
Further information below
Register to vote
The deadline to register to vote for this election is midnight on Tuesday 30 June 2026.
You can register online at: www.gov.uk/register-to-vote
You can also use this service to update your name or re-register if you have moved house.
Apply to vote by post
If you wish to vote by post in this election, deadlines apply.
The deadline to:
- apply for a postal vote
- change or amend an existing postal vote
- apply to vote by postal proxy
- cancel an existing postal vote
is 5pm on Wednesday 1 July 2026
You can apply online for a postal vote at: www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote
To cancel your postal vote, please contact us: elections@southnorfolkandbroadland.gov.uk
Apply to vote by proxy
If you are unable to attend the polling station on Thursday 16 July 2026, you can appoint a proxy. This means choosing someone you trust to vote on your behalf.
Your proxy must attend your polling station on polling day and show their own photo ID. They can also apply to vote on your behalf by post, subject to deadlines.
The deadline to apply to appoint a proxy for this election is 5pm on Wednesday 8 July 2026.
You can apply online at: www.gov.uk/apply-proxy-vote
Postal vote dispatch and delivery
We know postal voters are keen to know when their ballot pack will arrive.
This will depend on:
- when you applied to vote by post
- how long post takes to be delivered to you – particularly if your postal vote is being sent to an overseas address.
For this election, postal votes will be dispatched on 30 June 2026 (for those voters who have one in place by 17 June 2026)
Postal votes are sent by Royal Mail using first-class, priority post.
Why aren’t postal votes sent out as soon as an application comes in?
Candidate nominations for this election close at 4pm on Friday 19 June. This means that ballot papers cannot be finalised or sent to print until after this deadline has passed.
Postal vote packs are personalised for each voter. They must include the correct ballot paper for the electoral division you live in, as well as personalised instructions and envelopes to ensure your vote can be returned correctly.
Before postal votes are issued, we also carry out essential security checks. These checks, together with the printing and preparation of personalised packs, mean that it takes time to prepare and send postal votes once nominations have closed.
What if I’m going on holiday before my vote is likely to arrive?
If you applied for a postal vote and don’t think you’ll be home to return it by post (it must reach us by 10pm on Thursday 16 July) you can deliver your completed postal vote pack in to your polling station on polling day. Postal votes can also be handed in during office hours at The Horizon Centre, Peachman Way, Broadland Business Park, Norwich, NR7 0WF. You must complete a form when you hand it in.
If you won’t be back in time to use your postal vote, you can instead appoint someone you trust as a proxy to vote on your behalf. You will need to:
- cancel your postal vote by 5pm on 1 July 2026. This will happen automatically when you appoint a proxy, but you can contact us to talk about other options to cancel.
- make a proxy application by 5pm on 8 July 2026.
- the person you appoint as a proxy must:
- be a registered elector who can vote in this election.
- only be a proxy for up to two electors living in the UK, plus up to two people living abroad, or up to four people living abroad.
- Your proxy can:
- vote in person on your behalf at your polling station. They will have to show their own accepted form of photo ID to be able to vote or
- vote by post for you but must apply for a proxy postal vote by 5pm on 1 July.
Voter ID
If you vote in person at a polling station, you must show photo ID before you are given a ballot paper.
A list of accepted photo ID is included on your poll card and is available at: https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/voting-and-elections/voter-id/accepted-forms-photo-id
If you do not have an accepted form of photo ID, you can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate. This is a photographic ID specifically for voting.
You must be registered to vote before applying. If you need a Voter Authority Certificate, please apply as early as possible.
The deadline to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate for this election is 5pm on Wednesday 8 July 2026.
You can apply online for a Voter Authority Certificate at https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate
Polling stations
To find out which polling station you are registered to vote from, you can use the Democracy Club ‘Where do I vote?’ service or check you poll card.
Everyone should be able to register and vote without facing barriers. Broadland District Council and South Norfolk Council provide a range of services and support to help make voting as accessible as possible.
We are committed to making reasonable adjustments to support voters with disabilities and to continually improve the range and quality of assistance available. If you would like to know more, please contact us elections@southnorfolkandbroadland.gov.uk 01603 430483.
For more information on accessibility and voting, please visit our accessibility page https://www.southnorfolkandbroadland.gov.uk/council/elections/support-voters-disability
Information for candidates and agents
Nomination papers and guidance for candidates are available from the Electoral Commission website
Guidance for Candidates and Agents at local government elections in England | Electoral Commission
Nominations may be submitted between 10.00am and 4.00pm on any working day from Friday 12 June 2026 until 4.00pm on Friday 19 June 2026. The latest deadline for submission of nominations is 4pm on Friday 19 June 2026.
Nominations papers must be delivered in person to the office of:
The Returning Officer
Broadland District Council
Horizon Centre
Peachman Way
Broadland Business Park
Norwich
NR7 0WF
Candidates are strongly advised to book an appointment in advance to submit their nomination papers. To arrange an appointment, please contact the elections team:
Email: elections@southnorfolkandbroadland.gov.uk
Telephone: 01603 430483