Guidance for Candidates and Agents at Combined Authority Mayoral elections

Content of the election address

An election address can only contain matters relating to the election.1

It must contain:2  

  • a statement confirming that it has been prepared by your election agent
  • the name and address of the election agent
  • your name and address or if you have requested not to make your home address public, the relevant electoral area as given on your home address form   

It must not:

  • Contain any advertising material (other than material promoting the candidate as a candidate at the election)3
  • Contain any other material appearing to be included with a view to commercial gain4
  • Include any material referring to any other candidate5
  • Be more than two sides of A5 paper. Where an address takes up two sides of A5 paper, you must supply a second version printed on one side of A5 paper. The CARO will use this single-side version if more than 15 candidates supply an election address6

It may contain: 

  • a photograph – provided you have submitted two identical photographs to the CARO, one of which you must have signed on the back7
  • a party emblem and description – provided you have a certificate of authorisation issued by or on behalf of the Nominating Officer of the party8

In all cases, your election address must comply with the CARO’s requirements – including layout, margins and use of colour – so that it can be reproduced in the booklet9

The CARO will give your election agent the opportunity to check and correct (if necessary) the content of your election address.10 However, if the agent does not use this opportunity, the CARO may make any corrections they think appropriate, and may proceed with the printing and distribution of the election booklet without referring to you or your agent.11

Last updated: 1 December 2023