Guidance for Candidates and Agents at local government elections in England

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Resources for Candidates and Agents at local government elections in England

Guidance for Candidates and Agents at local government elections in England

Election timetable for non-scheduled local government elections in England
Scheduled election timetable Local Government elections in England 1 May 2025

What you need to know before you stand as a candidate

Completing your nomination papers | Guidance for candidates

Nomination pack - Local Government Election England (DOCX)

Campaigning

Register request form (DOCX)
Absent voters list request form (DOCX)

Nominations

Completing your nomination papers | Guidance for candidates
Home address form and relevant area | Guidance for candidates

Nomination pack - Local Government Election England (DOCX)
Withdrawal form - must be printed off (DOC)

Postal votes

Postal voting agent appointment form (DOCX)
Secrecy requirements - postal voting (DOCX)

Polling Day

Polling agent appointment form (DOCX)
Tellers dos and don'ts
Tellers guidance
Secrecy requirements - the poll (DOCX)

Verification and count

Secrecy requirements - the count
Counting agent appointment form (DOCX)
Doubtful ballot paper booklet (PDF)
Doubtful ballot paper placemat - three-member ward (PDF)
Doubtful ballot paper placemat - two-member ward (PDF)
Doubtful ballot paper placemat -single-member ward (PDF)

After the election

Candidate spending return (XLS)
Candidates spending return (PDF)
Explanatory notes for spending return - Local government elections in England
BETA VERSION: Candidate spending return Excel - Local government elections in England
BETA VERSION: Candidate spending return PDF - Local government elections in England
BETA VERSION: Candidate NIL return - Local government elections in England
Candidate declaration (PDF)
Agent declaration (PDF)
Non party campaigner s75 spending return (PDF)
Non party campaigner s75 declaration (PDF)
Last updated: 1 May 2025