Guidance for Returning Officers administering Local Government Elections in England

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Commonly used names

Where a candidate commonly uses a different name from their actual name, or commonly uses their names in a different way to those stated on the nomination paper, they can ask for this to be used instead of their actual name.1

A candidate can request to use a commonly used forename, surname or both. They may also use initials if they are commonly known by them.

For example, they may be known by their abbreviated name Andy, rather than their full first name Andrew. In that case, they can write Andy into the commonly used forename box on the nomination form if they would prefer that name to appear on the ballot paper.

A candidate with a hyphenated surname may choose to use one part of their surname if this is how they are commonly known. For example, in the case of Andrew Smith-Roberts, he could use Andrew Roberts or Andrew Smith (if either was the name by which he is commonly known).

However, if a candidate has a title, they can use this as their full name. For example, if the candidate’s actual name is Joseph Smith, but their hereditary title is Joseph Avon, they can use the name Joseph Avon as their full name.

The table below sets out a non-exhaustive list of potential variations:

Candidate actual name	Commonly used name	Different forename from any other forename or surname from any other surname?	Acceptable?
Andrew John Smith-Jones	Andrew Smith-Jones	No	Yes – if Andrew was the name by which he is commonly known.
Andrew John Smith-Jones	John Smith-Jones	No	Yes – if John was the name by which he is commonly known.
Andrew John Smith-Jones	Andy Smith-Jones	Yes	Yes - if Andy was the name by which he is commonly known.
Andrew John Smith-Jones	Johnny Smith-Jones	Yes	Yes - if Johnny was the name by which he is commonly known.
Andrew John Smith-Jones	Andrew John Smith	Yes	Yes - a candidate with a hyphenated surname may choose to use one part of their surname if this is how they are commonly known.
Andrew John Smith-Jones	Andy Jones	Yes	Yes - if Andy was the name by which he is commonly known and a candidate with a hyphenated surname may choose to use one part of their surname if this is how they are commonly known.
Andrew John Smith-Jones	AJ Smith-Jones	Yes	Yes - if AJ are initials by which he is commonly known.
Andrew John Smith-Jones	Andrew J Smith	Yes	Yes - if Andrew J was the name by which he is commonly known and a candidate with a hyphenated surname may choose to use one part of their surname if this is how they are commonly known.

Decisions on Commonly Used Names

It is not for you to decide whether the commonly used name is a name that the candidate commonly uses or whether it meets the legal requirements. The law requires you to take whatever has been entered in the commonly used name box at face value and to accept it as the candidate’s commonly used name.

The only grounds you have in law for rejecting a commonly used name is that you consider that:2

its use may be likely to mislead or confuse electors, or
it is obscene or offensive

It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure that they have completed their nomination form in accordance with the law and to be satisfied that the given commonly used name is a name that they genuinely commonly use.

In the course of providing informal advice, you may wish to draw the candidate’s attention to our guidance for candidates and agents on commonly used names.

Last updated: 19 August 2024