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

Where the poll at the combined authority mayoral election is not combined, you are required to prepare and provide each local RO with notices for display in polling booths, and outside and inside polling stations.1 The contents and format of the notices for the guidance of voters are prescribed.2

The notice entitled 'How to vote at this election' must be printed in conspicuous characters and exhibited outside and inside each polling station.4

The notice containing the text ‘Vote for ONLY ONE CANDIDATE by putting a cross [X] in the box next to your choice’ is required to be displayed in every polling booth.5

You may also provide versions of these notices in alternative languages or formats as you think appropriate and, if the local RO agrees, these may also be exhibited inside and outside the polling station.6  You should liaise with local ROs to identify what the alternative language and format requirements are across your combined authority area. 

You should liaise with local ROs in your combined authority area regarding what information on the combined authority mayoral election (such as the voting system and the role of the combined authority mayoral) should be given by polling station staff to electors. 

The provision of information in polling stations, whether given proactively or in response to questions from voters, should be consistent across the combined authority area. You should therefore consider how best to ensure that the same information is given to all voters across the combined authority area, wherever they are voting, and that the local ROs and their polling station staff have clear guidance about what information should or should not be given to voters.