{"election_id":"local.wigan.2026-05-07","tmp_election_id":null,"election_title":"Wigan 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/WGN/1974-04-01/","official_identifier":"WGN","organisation_type":"local-authority","organisation_subtype":"MD","official_name":"Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council","common_name":"Wigan","slug":"wigan","territory_code":"ENG","election_name":"Wigan 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.wigan.abram.2026-05-07","local.wigan.ashton-in-makerfield-south.2026-05-07","local.wigan.aspull-new-springs-whelley.2026-05-07","local.wigan.astley.2026-05-07","local.wigan.atherton-north.2026-05-07","local.wigan.atherton-south-lilford.2026-05-07","local.wigan.bryn-with-ashton-in-makerfield-north.2026-05-07","local.wigan.douglas.2026-05-07","local.wigan.golborne-lowton-west.2026-05-07","local.wigan.hindley.2026-05-07","local.wigan.hindley-green.2026-05-07","local.wigan.ince.2026-05-07","local.wigan.leigh-central-higher-folds.2026-05-07","local.wigan.leigh-south.2026-05-07","local.wigan.leigh-west.2026-05-07","local.wigan.lowton-east.2026-05-07","local.wigan.orrell.2026-05-07","local.wigan.pemberton.2026-05-07","local.wigan.shevington-with-lower-ground-moor.2026-05-07","local.wigan.standish-with-langtree.2026-05-07","local.wigan.tyldesley-mosley-common.2026-05-07","local.wigan.wigan-central.2026-05-07","local.wigan.wigan-west.2026-05-07","local.wigan.winstanley.2026-05-07","local.wigan.worsley-mesnes.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, and most wards are represented by more than one councillor. This council elects one-third of its councillors each year, which is why you may only have 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":"2025-11-11T12:22:41.057504Z","modified":"2026-02-11T11:05:22.604650Z"}