Clacton By-Election Live: The Clacton parliamentary by-election is taking place today, Thursday, 13 August 2026, following the sudden resignation of Reform UK leader Nigel Farage in July. Farage triggered the vote to seek a fresh mandate from his constituents amid heavy scrutiny regarding an undeclared £5 million personal gift from a cryptocurrency billionaire. Here’s everything you need to know about the Clacton by-election 2026, voter requirements, polling hours, candidates list, and more.
Clacton By-Election Live: When is Clacton By-Election
The Clacton by-election is taking place today, Thursday, 13 August 2026.
Clacton By-Election Live: Polls Open in Clacton By-Election
Polls opened at 07:00 BST this morning, Thursday, 13 August 2026, for the historic Clacton-on-Sea parliamentary by-election.
The polling stations across the Essex constituency will remain open until 22:00 BST tonight.
Clacton By-Election Live: Polling Hours
Polling hours for the Clacton by-election are from 07:00 BST to 22:00 BST.
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Polling Stations Open: 07:00 BSTÂ
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Polling Stations Close: 22:00 BST tonight
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Rule for Late Arrivals: Anyone standing in a queue at their designated polling station at 22:00 BST will still legally be allowed to cast their ballot.
Clacton By-Election Live: Voter Requirements
Voters must present a valid form of photo identification at their designated polling station to cast a ballot in person.
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Passports: Issued by the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, a British Overseas Territory, an EEA state, or a Commonwealth country.
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Driving Licences: Full or provisional licences issued by the UK, Northern Ireland, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, or an EEA state.
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Travel Passes: Blue Badges, Older Person’s Bus Passes, Disabled Person’s Bus Passes, or Oyster 60+ cards.
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Electoral Identity Documents: A Voter Authority Certificate (VAC) issued by local councils.
Clacton By-Election Live: Ballot Paper
The Clacton by-election ballot paper is a record-breaking 90cm (nearly 3 feet) long, making it the longest ballot paper in British electoral history.
The ballot must accommodate a record-shattering pool of 34 separate candidates contesting the single parliamentary seat.
As major political forces like Labour and the Conservatives boycotted the election, the ballot features 20 independent candidates alongside minor and satirical parties.
Clacton By-Election Live: Full Candidates List
Here is the complete list of candidates in the Clacton by-election:
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Joseph 77 (Independent)
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Adham Alkhatip (The Forward Party)
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Count Binface (Count Binface Party)
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Nick The Incredible Flying Brick (The Official Monster Raving Loony Party)
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Tony Cane (Independent)
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Woke Trump Carrzee (Independent)
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William Stuart James Clouston (Social Democratic Party)
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Rees Cowne (Independent)
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Glenn Charles Cummings (Independent)
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Martin Davies (Freedom Alliance – Real People, Real Alternative!)
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Andy Erlam (Independent)
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Nigel Farage (Reform UK)
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Attieh Fard (Independent)
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Laurence Fox (The Reclaim Party)
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Tony Francis (Independent)
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Robin Green (Independent)
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Abi Hookway (Independent)
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Howling Laud Hope (The Official Monster Raving Loony Party)
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Stephen Richard Ingram (Independent)
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Amy Morris (Independent)
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Derrick Norbert Morris (Independent)
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Michael Noel O’Keeffe (Independent)
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Martyn O’Brien (Independent)
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Nick Pelas (Independent)
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Ketankumar Pipaliya (UK VOICE safer and stronger UK)
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Daniel Pocock (Independent)
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James Ransley (Consensus Party Candidate)
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Gerry Smith (Independent)
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Kai Stephens (British Democrats)
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John Stevens (Rejoin EU)
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Baron Von Thunderclap (The Official Monster Raving Loony Party)
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Pamela Walford (Independent)
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Marcus White (Everyone is God Party)
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Marc Wilkinson (Independent)
Clacton By-Election Live: Who Will Win the Clacton By-Election
Nigel Farage is overwhelmingly projected to win the Clacton by-election because the UK’s main political parties (Labour, Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, and Greens) are boycotting the race; the Reform UK leader faces zero mainstream opposition, making his victory a statistical certainty.
However, the winner will be acknowledged after the official result is announced.
Clacton By-Election Live: Expected Result
The expected result date is tomorrow morning, Friday, 14 August 2026. The final declaration of the winner will be read out between 05:00 and 07:00 BST.
Ballots are being transported directly to the Clacton Leisure Centre for verification and counting as soon as polling stations close at 22:00 BST tonight.
