Non-party campaigners: Local elections in England

Local non-party campaigners can spend up to £50 + 0.5p per elector campaigning for or against a candidate in the ward. This is the permitted sum.

The number of electors is the number of local government electors registered to vote on the last day for publication of the notice of election in the ward.1  It applies once the candidate is officially a candidate (see When do you officially become a candidate?).

For example

If there are 1,000 people on the ward electoral register, your spending limit for campaigning for or against a candidate would be: 

• £50 + (1000 x 0.5p)
• £50 + (£5) = £55

Your local elections office will be able to give you the number of electors in the ward. 

You can find the contact details for your local elections office on our Elections in your area page.

You should keep a record of your spending, to make sure that you do not exceed the spending limit. 

Any spending over these limits must be authorised by the agent of the relevant candidate. The authorised spending will count as candidate spending and towards the candidate’s spending limit.2

If you have been authorised to incur candidate spending, you should read our guidance for candidates and agents.