Standing for Election
Am I eligible to stand for election?
To stand for election, on the day of nomination, you must be:
- 18 or over
- Be a UK, EU or Commonwealth citizen
You must meet at least one of the following qualifications:
- Be registered to vote as a local government elector in the area
- Occupied as owner or tenant any land or other premises in the local authority area
- Your main or only place of work is in the local authority area
- Live in the local authority area
You cannot stand if:
- You work for the Council
- You hold a politically restricted post for another local authority
- You are bankrupt
- You have served a prison sentence (including suspended sentences) of 3 months or more within 5 years before the election
- You have been disqualified under any legislation relating to corrupt or illegal electoral practices
Standing as a Councillor for a political party
The majority of people become Councillors as a result of joining a political party.
However, you do not need to be a member of a political party to stand as a Councillor. You will be classed as an independent.
If you are thinking of standing as a candidate for a particular political party then you will need to be a member of that party's local organisation.
What do I do next?
The next scheduled election for district councillors is May 2027. This page will be updated with further information closer to the time.
The independent group of the Local Government Association (LGA) has prepared a helpful guide for Councillors and candidates (please see below).