Becoming a Councillor
This guide aims to answer some basic questions on the electoral process. It is not a legal guide on standing for election. If you want any further information on any point, contact the Electoral Services Office who will be happy to help you.
The legal forms, or nomination forms, needed to stand as a Candidate are available from the Electoral Services Office around 2 weeks before the election period starts.
When do I become a candidate?
A person becomes a candidate at an election for a town, community or county borough councillor on the day on which they submit a valid nomination paper/their nomination is declared valid. However, if a person makes it known in advance of the election that they are going to be a candidate, they will become a candidate on the last day for publication of the notice of election.
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How do I qualify to be a candidate?
To qualify as a candidate you must be
- Over 21 on the day on which you are nominated,
- a British, Irish, Commonwealth or European Union citizen,
AND
- meet at least one of the following four qualifications
- be registered as an elector for the local authority area on the day on which the nomination is received and on the day of the election.
OR
- for the whole of the previous 12 months have lived in that area
OR
- occupied as owner or tenant any land or premises in that area
OR
- for the whole of the previous 12 months had your principal or only place of work in that area.
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Nomination
To stand as a candidate at any election you have to submit a nomination paper. The nomination paper gives details of your name, address and political description. A nomination paper has to be signed by the correct number of your supporters.
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What information can I include in my Name, address and political description?
Your name and address must be given in full. The law now limits the description you can use.
For a county borough council election, unless you are standing on behalf of a political party, you may only use the word "Independent" or leave this part blank. You cannot submit a nomination paper using a political party description unless you have their permission to do so and a certificate from them saying that you are allowed to use their description.
For a town or community council election you are allowed to use descriptions up to 6 words long. However, this must not be the description of a political party without their permission and must not mislead electors to associate you with a political party.
Your description will appear underneath your name and address on the ballot paper. For candidates standing on behalf of political parties, they may use a logo alongside their names, provided this is requested.
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How many supporters do I need?
To stand as a candidate in a town or community council election you will need 2 people to sign your nomination paper.
To stand as a candidate in a county borough council election you will need 10 people to sign the nomination paper.
Everyone signing the nomination paper must be included on the Register of Electors for the area in which the election is to be held (County Electoral Division or Community/Community Ward). If someone signs your nomination paper and they are not included on the relevant Register of Electors, your paper will not be valid.
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How much does it cost me?
You do not have to pay to stand as a candidate for election. There may be costs in standing for election that you will have to pay. The amount depends on how you decide to campaign but there is a limit on how much you can spend. There is a basic fee, which at the moment is £242, plus 4.7p for every elector on the relevant register of electors.
You will have to fill in a form to say how much you have spent and keep all your receipts for expenditure over £20 to go with the form.
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What is a register of electors?
The register of electors is compiled every autumn and published on 1 December. It lists everybody who has registered to vote. From December onwards, names can be added to the register. There is a cut off date after which no one can be added to the Register to enable them to vote at a specific election.
The dates at which names can be added to the Register are listed below. Applications have to be received by the Qualifying date and are added on the published date. The elector becomes eligible to vote on the first day of the following month.
| Qualifying Date |
Publish Date |
| Monday 12 January 2004 |
Monday 2 February 2004 |
| Monday 9 February 2004 |
Monday 1 March 2004 |
| Thursday 11 March 2004 |
Thursday 1 April 2004 |
| Tuesday 13 April 2004 |
Tuesday 4 May 2004 |
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What are Agents?
You do not have to appoint an agent.
However, during an election some candidates appoint persons to assist them in their campaign - these are known as Election agents. It is a responsible job as an agent is responsible for ensuring that anything you spend is accounted for, that your bills are paid, that your campaign is organised and legal, they arrange the appointment of other agents (polling and count).
More information on the appointment of polling and counting agents will be given to you if you decide to stand for election.
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Do I have to be a Town/Community Councillor to stand for the County Council?
No, you do not need experience of any sort to stand for any Council.
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How does someone get a postal vote?
Contact the Electoral Services Section and an application form will be sent to any one who needs one. You can also download one from this web site. Postal votes can be sent anywhere in Britain or abroad, but the elector must realise that there are time limits. Postal votes are issued around 10 days before the election and must be returned by the time the polling stations close.
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Need Further help..?
Further Advice on becoming a councillor or any other electoral matter can be obtained from the Electoral Registration office on (01978) 292020 , or email: electoral@wrexham.gov.uk
Guidance can also be found by using the link to the Electoral Commission web site.
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