Becoming a candidate
The qualifications for becoming a candidate and the nomination form and other documents are on the Electoral Commission website.
- Guidance for Candidates at Parish council elections in England - Electoral Commission
- Guidance for Candidates and Agents at local government elections in England - Electoral Commission
Nominations can only be taken at certain times during the election timetable. More details of these times for specific elections are given on the notice of election.
If you have any questions, there is more general information on the Electoral Commission website or you can call 01432 260107 or email elections@herefordshire.gov.uk
- Find out more about becoming a Herefordshire councillor
- Find out more about becoming a parish councillor
Nominations
You must be nominated to stand as a candidate. You can request a nomination pack from the Electoral Services Office directly, using our online form:
Following submission of the form, you will receive a nomination pack with the dates and election area pre-filled, plus a guidance document containing instructions on how to complete the papers.
We strongly recommend that all prospective candidates and their agents, also download and familiarise themselves with the Electoral Commission's comprehensive local elections guidance.
The Association of Electoral Administrators have produced a free online training module on how to complete your parish nomination papers. Access the free training. An annotated nomination pack is also available to view to assist you when completing nomination papers.
The Electoral Commission is the UK's independent elections watchdog and provides information on how to stand as a candidate, conduct your election campaign and the current spending limits for candidates. Below are two videos containing guidance on how to complete your nomination papers.
Guidance for candidates - completing your nomination papers
Guidance for candidates – home address form and relevant area
Informal check of nomination papers
You can send nomination papers for an information check to nominationpapers@herefordshire.gov.uk
If you decide to do this, ensure you do it as early as possible before the close of nominations to allow us time to conduct the check.
Sending a copy of your nomination paper via email is NOT a submission of your nomination paper, it is an informal check only, but will give you sufficient time to submit new nomination papers if your first set contain any errors.
Be aware there is personal data on the nomination paper so it needs to be password protected. Do not send the password via email. Ensure you provide a phone number and we will ring you for the password.
There will be no informal checks taking place on the last day to submit nomination papers - 4pm on the 19th working day before the poll.
What to include in your nomination email for the informal check
If you are not standing as a party candidate then you only need to provide us with one nomination paper, the home address form (part 1 and 2) and the consent to nomination (all pages).
If you are standing for a party, in addition to the above, you will need to provide certificate of authorisation and a request for party emblem (if applicable).
The next step after informal check
Once we have done the informal check, we will contact you to tell you if the paperwork is okay, or, if there are any amendments needed. We will provide you with a checklist with any errors, and you can then re-submit the nomination pack again for another informal check.
Make an appointment to officially submit your nomination
Appointments can only be made on working days (Monday to Friday) between the hours of 10am and 4pm during the nomination period.
Phone us on 01432 260107 or email nominations@herefordshire.gov.uk to make an appointment. Please ensure you bring the entire nomination pack with you if you can, this way we can take the forms we need from you.
Submitting your nomination papers
All nomination papers, the home address form, the candidates consent to nomination and any certificates of authorisation and requests for a party emblem, must be delivered by hand to any place specified on the notice of election between the hours of 10am and 4pm.
The close of nominations for an election, which is the last possible date and time to deliver the above forms is 4pm on the 19th working day before the poll.
It is your responsibility to ensure that your nomination papers are delivered in the correct manner and by the required deadlines. We recommend that you or someone you trust hand-delivers them, so you can be sure they are delivered in time.
Your nomination papers must be submitted in person and cannot be submitted by post, fax, email or other electronic means.
If you would prefer, you can download a blank nomination paper from part 2 of the relevant guidance on the Electoral Commission's website:
Electoral register and absent vote list requests
If you want to request the register of electors and absent vote list for the election area, there are forms for these in the nomination pack. If you require these lists, please don't send these to us for the informal check, these can be brought in when you submit your nomination paper by hand.
Election expenses
Each candidate must submit their spending return and declaration following an election. Failure to do so by the relevant deadline without an authorised excuse is a criminal offence.
If a candidate has been elected but the spending return and/or declaration has not been submitted by the deadline they are barred from sitting or voting, and can be subject to a forfeit or fine of £50 per day if they do so.
Hustings
A hustings is a meeting where election candidates or parties debate policies and answer questions from the audience. Hustings provide voters with an opportunity to hear the views of candidates or parties. Candidates are entitled to use council-owned premises to hold their hustings. Please note that not all buildings are currently open to the public. For further information see the hustings section on The Electoral Commission's website.