Guidance for Candidates at Parish council elections in England

The earliest you can officially become a candidate is on the last date for publishing the notice of election, which is 25 working days before the poll.
 
You will officially become a candidate on this day if, on or before this date, you have already declared yourself a candidate at the election (or another person has declared that you are a candidate).

If, after this date, you or others declare that you will be a candidate at the election, you will become a candidate on the date such a declaration is made, or on the date that you submit your nomination papers, whichever is earlier.

The day after the date you officially become a candidate, spending rules will apply.

Once you have officially become a candidate, you are entitled to a copy of the electoral register.1  

You are also entitled to a copy of the lists of absent voters for the parish area or, if your parish is warded, for the ward you are standing in.
 
In addition, you can use publicly funded rooms and schools for public meetings. 

You can start campaigning before you officially become a candidate. More information is set out in our guidance on campaigning.