Guidance for Returning Officers administering Local Government Elections in England

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Resources for Returning Officers

Planning for the election

Absent voters' list request form (DOC)
Ballot paper account exercise (DOC)
Briefing for candidates and agents at a Local Government election in England (PPTX)
Briefing for candidates and agents - Combined Authority Mayoral elections (PPTX)
Checklist for polling station inspectors (for elections on or after 2 May 2024) (DOCX)
Close of poll packing instructions - for use on or after 2 May 2024 (DOCX)
England FAQs for frontline workers (DOCX)
Forensic Science Service guidance
LGE-PCC combined election timetable - 2 May 2024
Election timetable for non-scheduled local government elections in England
Making your mark - design guidance for EAs

 

There are different nomination papers for elections held on 2 May 2024 and for those held on or after 7 May 2024. Please make sure the correct version is used, depending on when the poll will be held. Using the wrong nominations pack may cause the nomination to be rejected.

Nomination papers - Local Government Election England (DOCX)
Nomination papers - Parish Elections England (DOCX)
Nomination papers - Local Authority Mayoral Elections (DOCX)
Nomination papers - Combined Authority Mayoral Election without P[F]CC functions (DOCX)
Nomination papers - Combined Authority Mayoral Election with P[F]CC functions (DOCX)
Nomination papers - Combined County Authority Mayoral Election without P[F]CC functions (DOCX)
Nomination papers - Combined County Authority Mayoral Election with P[F]CC functions (DOCX)
Observers at Local Government elections in England 2023
Personation advice for Presiding Officers (PDF)
Polling station handbook - local elections in England on and after 2 May 2024 (PDF)
Polling station handbook insert LGE- EUVR update
Polling station quick guide - local government elections in England with EUVR update (PDF)
Polling station handbook - combined authority mayoral election and local government election in England (PDF)
Polling station quick guide - combined authority mayoral election and local government election in England (PDF)
Polling station handbook insert for local authority mayoral elections combined with local government and combined authority mayoral elections (PDF)
Polling station handbook - standalone combined authority mayoral election in England (PDF)
Polling station quick guide - standalone combined authority mayoral election in England (PDF)
Polling station staff briefing to use at a Local Government election in England (PPTX)
Polling station scenarios LGE (DOCX)
Polling station quiz LGE (DOCX)
Project plan for elections (Generic - EA22)
Register request form (DOC)
Risk register for elections (Generic - EA22)
Secrecy requirements - the poll (DOCX)
Tellers guidance
Tellers dos and don'ts
Tips on managing the media at the count (DOC)

Starting the election timetable

Notice of Election - Local Authority Mayoral elections in England
Notice of Election - Local Government Elections in England

Nominations

There are different nomination papers for elections held on 2 May 2024 and for those held on or after 7 May 2024. Please make sure the correct version is used, depending on when the poll will be held. Using the wrong nominations pack may cause the nomination to be rejected.

Nomination papers - Local Government Election England (DOCX)
Nomination papers - Parish Elections England (DOCX)
Nomination papers - Local Authority Mayoral Elections (DOCX)
Nomination papers - Combined Authority Mayoral Election without P[F]CC functions (DOCX)
Nomination papers - Combined Authority Mayoral Election with P[F]CC functions (DOCX)
Nomination papers - Combined County Authority Mayoral Election without P[F]CC functions (DOCX)
Nomination papers - Combined County Authority Mayoral Election with P[F]CC functions (DOCX)
Nomination checklist - Local government elections England (DOCX)
Nomination checklist for Returning Officers - parish council elections in England (DOCX)
Nomination checklist - local authority mayoral elections in England (DOCX)
Notice of poll, statement of persons nominated and situation of polling stations - Local Authority Mayoral elections
Notice of poll, statement of persons nominated and situation of polling stations - Local Government Elections
Quality Assurance Guidance for ROs (PDF)
Wthdrawal form - local elections in England and Wales (not for parishes/communities or mayoral elections)
Withdrawal form - parish elections (DOC)
Withdrawal form - Local authority Mayoral elections (DOC)

Agents

Counting agent appointment form (DOC)
Nomination papers - Local Government Election England (DOCX)
Polling agent appointment form (DOC)
Postal voting agent appointment form (DOC)
Secrecy requirements - postal voting (DOCX)
Secrecy requirements - the poll (DOCX)
Secrecy requirements - count - S66 (DOCX)

Absent voting

LGE-PCC combined election timetable - 2 May 2024
Election timetable for non-scheduled local government elections in England
FAQs for postal vote rejection notices (for elections on or after 2 May 2024)(DOCX)
Forensic Science Service guidance on signature checking (PDF)
Polling station handbook - local elections in England on and after 2 May 2024 (PDF)
Polling station handbook insert LGE- EUVR update
Postal voting ballot paper account (DOC)
Postal vote opening flowchart (DOC)
Postal vote matching spreadsheet (XLSX)
Secrecy requirements - postal voting (DOCX)
Secrecy requirements - postal voting - mayoral referendum (PDF)
Template postal vote rejection notices (for elections on or after 2 May 2024) (DOCX)

Polling station voting

Ask me for help stickers and posters
BPRL (Ballot paper refusal list) (DOCX)
Checklist for polling station inspectors (for elections on or after 2 May 2024) (DOCX)
Close of poll packing instructions - for use on or after 2 May 2024 (DOCX)
Declaration for the companion of a disabled voter (DOC)
Declaration for the companion of a voter with disabilities LAM
Polling station handbook - local elections in England on and after 2 May 2024 (PDF)
Polling station handbook insert LGE- EUVR update
Polling station handbook - standalone combined authority mayoral election in England (PDF)
Polling station handbook - combined authority mayoral election and local government election in England (PDF)
Polling station handbook insert for local authority mayoral elections combined with local government and combined authority mayoral elections (PDF)
Postal vote return form (PDF)
Log to record details of postal voters who claim not to have applied for a postal vote (DOC)
Secrecy requirements - the poll (DOCX)
Tellers guidance
Tellers dos and don'ts
Voter identification notes and VIDEF (DOCX)

Verification and count  

Checklist of items the Presiding Officer should hand in at verification venue (or collection point)
Checklist when dealing with ballot box variances (DOC)
Doubtful ballot paper booklet (PDF)
Doubtful ballot paper placemat -single-member ward (PDF)
Doubtful ballot paper placemat - two-member ward (PDF)
Doubtful ballot paper placemat - three-member ward (PDF)
Doubtful ballot paper booklet - mayoral elections in England (PDF)
Doubtful ballot paper placemat mayoral elections in England (PDF)
Example checklist of materials required at the verification and count (DOC)
Observer access restrictions log (DOC)
Observers at Local Government elections in England 2023
Secrecy requirements - count - S66 (DOCX)
Secrecy requirements - verification and count - mayoral referendum (DOC)
Tips on managing the media at the count (DOC)

After the election

Election timetable for non-scheduled local government elections in England
Access supply and inspection checklist (for elections before 2 May 2024)(DOCX)
Access supply and inspection checklist (for elections on or after 2 May 2024)(DOCX)
Close of poll packing instructions - for use on or after 2 May 2024 (DOCX)
Guidance for Proper Officers and candidate returns (PDF)
Parish council spending return and notes
Polling station handbook - local elections in England on and after 2 May 2024 (PDF)
Polling station handbook insert LGE- EUVR update
Postal voting ballot paper account (DOC)
Publication of data from polling stations

Casual vacancies and By-elections

Election timetable for non-scheduled local government elections in England
Last updated: 16 September 2024