4. Council elections
Who can stand/who can vote
When?
How?

5. You can stand as a candidate if:
Aged 18 or over
A British, Commonwealth or EU Citizen
Have lived or worked in council area for at least 12 months before you are nominated
Have no convictions or are a bankrupt
Be on the electoral register
You are nominated by 10 electors in the ward you are standing for
Are not employed by council you are standing for
Candidates do not have to pay a deposit – unlike General Election

6. You cannot stand as a candidate…
If you are bankrupt
Have been guilty of election malpractice in previous five years
Have been imprisoned for three months or more in last five years
Occupy a politically restricted post (eg work for council for which you intend to stand)

7. You can vote in a local election if…
Over age of 18
A citizen of Britain, Ireland or Commonwealth
Not a convicted prisoner
Are on the electoral register in relevant council area

8. Postal votes
Permitted where you provide proof of date of birth and signature that can be checked when vote cast
Registration officers have powers to check IDs and remove people from electoral register

9. Council elections – when?
Electoral cycle depends on where you live
Most councils have “whole council” or “all out” elections every four years (2011 – boroughs and districts)
Metropolitan councils have “partial” or “by thirds” elections: one third of councillors stand for election every year (also some districts)
Some English unitaries & districts choose to have elections by thirds
Seven have elections by halves

10. Council elections – how ii
Local elections held every May, normally first Thursday of the month
Councillors are elected to “wards” or “electoral divisions” – each returning 1,2 or 3 members
At ballot stations in person or (increasingly) through postal voting and e-voting (fraud issues)
Election results decided by “first past the post” system

11. Elections + party politics
Council elections not solely dominated by mainstream parties
Recent years have seen the rise of minority, independent and single issue parties, often achieving notable successes (Green Party; Health Concern; BNP; residents groups)
Why: much easier to get foothold in councils than parliamentary elections – no deposit/smaller turnouts etc

12. Electoral division+wards
Areas (“constituencies”) represented by county councillors
Usually, one councillor for each division but larger ones may have two representatives
Boundaries determined by Boundary Committee of Electoral Commission
Any boundary changes must be agreed by Secretary of State

13. Returning officer
Responsible for overseeing and managing local and general elections
Orders recounts where necessary
Announces results
Is usually the chief executive of local relevant authority but often chairman/mayor of council will announce results

14. Returning officer ii) Arranges polling stations and appoints ‘tellers’
Ensures ballot boxes are not interfered with
Receives pay for role in election – additional to salary

15. Student assignment What type of councils are there in your area?
Which party controls them?
How many residents do they serve?
Who is the council leader (politician)?
Who is the chief executive (officer)?
What parties are represented on the council?
When is the council(s) next election?
Deadline: February 10