Combined Authority and Combined County Authority Returning Officer guidance for Combined Authority Mayoral elections

The colour of the ballot paper is not prescribed, nor is the colour to be used for tendered ballot papers, although tendered ballot papers must be a different colour from the ordinary ballot papers.1

As CARO you should decide early on what colour the ballot papers will be in your combined authority area and work closely with all of the local ROs to agree the colour to be used. 

At combined polls, different-coloured ballot papers must be used for each poll.2 You should also consider consulting print suppliers about the colour to ensure that your choice does not give rise to supply or production difficulties. 

In deciding on the ballot paper colour you should take into account accessibility issues relating to colour and contrast. Section 6 of the Commission’s Making your mark good practice design guidance contains advice on choosing colours.