At a mayoral election, the £500 deposit made by or on behalf of a candidate must be returned if, after the counting of votes (including any recount) is completed, the candidate is found to have polled more than 5% of the total number of valid votes polled by all candidates in the election.
You must not return the deposit to any candidate who is found to have polled equal to or less than 5% of the total number of valid votes cast.1
If the threshold is met, you must return the deposit to the person who made it.2
The deposits that are required to be returned must be returned not later than the next working day after the result of the election is declared.3
This deadline would be met should you post a cheque no later than the next working day after the result of the election is declared.
Forfeited deposits
The deposit made by or on behalf of a candidate will be forfeited to the local authority if, after the counting of the valid (including any recount) is completed, the candidate is found not to have polled more than 5% of the total number of valid votes polled by all candidates in the election.4
1. Rule 55(1) and (5), Local Authorities (Mayoral Elections) (England and Wales) Regulations 2007(LAM Rules 2007)↩ Back to content at footnote 1