Guidance for Local Returning Officers administering a Police and Crime Commissioner election in England and Wales

Production of ballot papers

You are responsible for printing the PCC ballot papers for your voting area unless the PARO gives you notice that they will take on this responsibility.1  You should liaise with the PARO on the production of the PCC election ballot papers at an early stage.

 

Police Fire and Crime Commissioner

In some police areas the candidate elected to the role of PCC also holds the fire and rescue authority function. 

In these police areas ballot papers must refer to the election of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner [insert name of police area] police area.

second half of content

By law, ballot papers for postal voters and for polling station use must be the same in design and size, except that the official mark may be different if desired.3   

You should ensure that you check with your print supplier at an early stage to establish the maximum size of ballot paper that they can print and, if necessary, have contingency arrangements in place in the event that a larger ballot paper is required. 

The final content of the ballot paper cannot be confirmed until nominations have closed, but you will need to make decisions about the following elements of the ballot paper specification at an early stage:

  • the format of the ballot paper numbers
  • the form of the reverse of the ballot paper
  • the unique identifying mark
  • the design of the ‘official mark’
  • what colour the ballot papers will be
Last updated: 3 April 2024