{"election_id":"local.wakefield.2026-05-07","tmp_election_id":null,"election_title":"Wakefield local election","poll_open_date":"2026-05-07","election_type":{"name":"Local elections","election_type":"local"},"election_subtype":null,"organisation":{"url":"http://elections.democracyclub.org.uk/api/organisations/local-authority/WKF/1974-04-01/","official_identifier":"WKF","organisation_type":"local-authority","organisation_subtype":"MD","official_name":"Wakefield Metropolitan District Council","common_name":"Wakefield","slug":"wakefield","territory_code":"ENG","election_name":"Wakefield local election","start_date":"1974-04-01","end_date":null,"created":"1974-04-01T00:00:00Z","modified":"2021-10-11T14:59:26.370579Z"},"group":"local.2026-05-07","group_type":"organisation","identifier_type":"organisation","children":["local.wakefield.ackworth-north-elmsall-upton.2026-05-07","local.wakefield.airedale-ferry-fryston.2026-05-07","local.wakefield.altofts-whitwood.2026-05-07","local.wakefield.castleford-central-glasshoughton.2026-05-07","local.wakefield.crofton-ryhill-walton.2026-05-07","local.wakefield.featherstone.2026-05-07","local.wakefield.hemsworth.2026-05-07","local.wakefield.horbury-south-ossett.2026-05-07","local.wakefield.knottingley-ferrybridge.2026-05-07","local.wakefield.normanton.2026-05-07","local.wakefield.ossett.2026-05-07","local.wakefield.pontefract-north.2026-05-07","local.wakefield.pontefract-south.2026-05-07","local.wakefield.south-elmsall-south-kirkby.2026-05-07","local.wakefield.stanley-outwood-east.2026-05-07","local.wakefield.wakefield-east.2026-05-07","local.wakefield.wakefield-north.2026-05-07","local.wakefield.wakefield-rural.2026-05-07","local.wakefield.wakefield-south.2026-05-07","local.wakefield.wakefield-west.2026-05-07","local.wakefield.wrenthorpe-outwood-west.2026-05-07"],"elected_role":"Local Councillor","seats_contested":null,"division":null,"voting_system":{"name":"First-past-the-post","wikipedia_url":"https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/First-past-the-post_voting","description":"A first-past-the-post (abbreviated FPTP, 1stP, 1PTP or FPP) or winner-takes-all election is one that is won by the candidate receiving more votes than any others.","uses_party_lists":false,"slug":"FPTP"},"requires_voter_id":null,"current":true,"explanation":"This is an election for **metropolitan borough councillors**. \r\n\r\nCouncillors represent the people of their ward on the council. Councillors are elected for four-year terms. Most wards are represented by more than one councillor, which is why you may have more than one vote.\r\n\r\nMetropolitan borough councils are responsible for many different services, including:\r\n\r\n * Child and adult social care\r\n * Schools and education\r\n * Rubbish collection and recycling\r\n * Housing and planning\r\n * Libraries and museums\r\n * Roads and pavements\r\n * Sports facilities and public parks\r\n\r\nCouncils are funded by a combination of council tax, business rates, and grants from the UK government. Councillors are not paid a salary, but they do receive financial compensation and expenses to cover their time and travel commitments.\r\n\r\n[**Learn more about English local government from New Local.**](https://www.newlocal.org.uk/articles/local-government-explained-part-2-what-do-councils-do/)","metadata":null,"deleted":false,"cancelled":false,"cancellation_reason":null,"replaces":null,"replaced_by":null,"by_election_reason":"","tags":{},"created":"2025-11-11T15:43:31.876087Z","modified":"2026-02-11T10:55:02.603728Z"}