Combined authority mayoral elections in England

Interim text for reverting back to normal subscriber rules

The Local Government Disqualification Act 2022 came into effect on 28 June 2022. The Act disqualifies individuals subject to certain sexual offence legal orders from standing for election or holding office in local authorities. We have updated Part 1 of our guidance for Candidates and Agents to reflect this. 

Secondary legislation has also been made to amend the relevant consent to nomination forms and this came into force on 7 July 2022. We have updated the consent to nomination forms available below to reflect this.

 

 

 

Notional spending update Elections Act

Under the Elections Act 2022, two changes have been made to the legislation on candidate spending rules:

  • Definition of ‘use on behalf a candidate’ in notional spending
  • Making payments for local campaigning

The changes came into force on 24 November 2022. For more details, please see Understanding changes to the spending rules.

summary

Click here for guidance on local authority mayoral elections in England

An overview document gives instructions on how to use this guidance and who does what at these elections.

We have produced a timetable with all of the relevant deadlines for the 4 May 2023 Combined authority mayoral election which can be viewed here:

Summary

We published supplementary guidance in 2021 to support candidates and agents participating in polls during the coronavirus pandemic. This remains available for your reference:

Part 2a

Standing as an independent candidate

This part covers:

  • Completing and submitting your nomination papers
  • Being nominated in more than one ward
  • What happens after the close of nominations?
  • Appointing your election agent and other agents
  • What happens if a candidate dies?
Part 2b

Standing as a party candidate

This part covers:

  • Completing and submitting your nomination papers
  • The mayoral address and deposit
  • What happens after the close of nominations
  • Appointing your election agent and other agents
  • What happens if a candidate dies
Part 3

Spending and donations

This part covers:

  • How much you can spend
  • The activities covered by the rules
  • Which donations you can accept
  • How to check donations you receive
  • What information needs to be recorded and reported
Part 4

The campaign

This part covers:

  • Campaigning dos and don'ts
  • Using the electoral register and absent voters' lists
  • Using schools and rooms for public meetings
  • Imprints on campaign publicity material
  • The mayoral address
  • Polling day dos and don'ts
  • Reporting allegations of electoral malpractice
Part 5

Your right to attend key electoral events

This part covers:

  • Attending the opening of postal votes and what to expect
  • Attending polling stations and what to expect
  • Attending the count and what to expect
Part 6

After the declaration of results

This part covers:

  • Making the declaration of acceptance of office
  • Access to election paperwork
  • Submitting your spending returns and declarations
  • Questioning the result through an election petition