County Durham Local Elections 2025: Polls open ahead of key vote

Polling stations opened at 7am and will remain open until 10pm this evening for residents to cast their votes.

There are 51 electoral divisions in County Durham, with a total of 98 councillors to be elected, down from 126.

The Labour Party lost overall control of Durham County Council at the last round of local elections in 2021, the first time in 100 years.

The current Joint Administration in charge of the authority is made up of Liberal Democrats, Conservatives and Independents.

Reform UK, Nigel Farage’s party, are hoping to perform well in the county after identifying it as a battleground region to grow the popularity of the party.

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Mr Farage used a speech at Newton Aycliffe Working Men’s Club a couple of weeks ago to appeal to working-class voters.

Durham County Council is responsible for housing, education, social care, rubbish collection, and fixing roads. However, as with many other local authorities, it is facing a funding crisis, with the council constantly readjusting its budget to protect key services.

Polls across County Durham will close at 10pm, with the counts taking place between 10am and 1:30pm on Friday, with the first results expected between those hours too.