A by-election for the Penrith South ward of Westmorland and Furness Council is taking place on Thursday 12 March, 2026, between the hours of 7am and 10pm.
The nomination deadline has passed and the list of candidates has been published.
By-election Result
The result of the Penrith South by-election will be published here after it is declared.
Seats: 1
Turnout: 23.51%
Ballot papers rejected: 4
| Candidate Name | Candidate Description | Votes Recorded (E = Elected) |
|---|---|---|
| HOFFMANN, Emilia Louise | The Green Party | 225 |
| HOUSTON, Michael John | ReformUK - Changing Politics for Good | 588 |
| JAYSON, Barbara | Liberal Democrat | 749 (E) |
| TOLMIE, Maiki | The Conservative and Unionist Party | 173 |
Notices
- Notice of Poll and Situation of Polling Stations - Penrith South Ward (PDF , 116KB)
- Statement of Persons Nominated - Penrith South Ward (PDF , 87KB)
- Notice of Election Agents - Penrith South Ward (PDF , 87KB)
- Notice of Election - Penrith South Ward (PDF , 223KB)
Poll cards have been sent to registered electors in the Penrith South area.
Register to vote
The register to vote deadline for the Penrith South by-election passed on 24 February 2026. If you do need to register to vote, you can do so at any time, but you will not be added to the register in time to vote at the by-election.
Apply for a postal or proxy vote
The deadline for applying for a postal vote passed at 5pm on 25 February 2026. The deadline for applying for a proxy vote passed at 5pm on 4 March.
You may be able to apply for an emergency proxy if:
- you have a medical emergency
- you are away for work and will not be able to attend a polling station
- your photo ID is lost, stolen, destroyed or damaged
You will only qualify if you were not aware of the circumstances above before the proxy deadline of 5pm on 4 March.
Download a copy of the emergency proxy form
Apply for a Voter Authority Certificate
The deadline to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate passed at 5pm on 4 March 2026. If you have lost the ID you were going to use after that date, you may be able to apply for an emergency proxy. See the section above for how to apply.
Postal vote handling
Rules have been introduced to support the security of postal voting at elections.
Anyone returning a postal vote by hand to the Returning Officer must complete a postal vote return form. A postal vote returned by hand that is not accompanied by a postal vote return form will be rejected. There are also new limits on the number of postal votes that can be handed in by one person.
Postal voters are encouraged to use the Royal Mail envelope provided with the postal vote pack, wherever possible.
Electors who wish to hand their postal vote in at a polling station, or at Voreda House, must complete a postal vote return form for the postal vote to be accepted.
At polling stations: staff working at the station will have the necessary form to be completed at the polling stations.
Council offices: signage will be in place at Voreda House, Penrith to tell electors where they need to go to complete the relevant forms.
Completed postal vote packs should not be put through the letterboxes, or internal mail boxes, in any council building as these will have to be rejected.
Voter ID
In the UK you're legally required to show photo identification (ID) when voting at a polling station at this election.
Examples of photo ID
You may already have a form of photo ID that is acceptable. You can use any of the following:
- passport
- driving licence (including provisional license)
- Blue Badge
- certain concessionary travel cards
- identity card with PASS mark (Proof of Age Standards Scheme)
- Biometric immigration document, including eVisas
- Defence identity card
- HM Armed Forces Veteran Card
- certain national identity cards
You will only need to show one form of photo ID, but it needs to be the original version and not a photocopy. The name on your ID must be the same name you used to register to vote.