By-elections and Casual Vacancies

Current vacancies and by-elections

Upcoming by-elections

South Oxfordshire District Council: Cholsey Ward – 5 December 2024

Election Notices

Clifton Hampden Parish Council By-election – 28 November 2024

What is a by-election?

By-elections can occur in any division, ward or parish if a serving councillor resigns, dies or is disqualified, thereby creating a ‘casual vacancy’.

When a casual vacancy arises, the relevant council must publish a “Notice of Vacancy”. If a request to fill the vacancy is made in writing to the Returning Officer, and it fulfils the criteria below, a by-election will be held. The candidate elected at the by-election will then serve the remainder of the term in office until the next election.

For a district council vacancy a request for an election must have the signatures of two electors registered within the District.
For a parish or town council vacancy a request for an election must have the signatures of ten electors registered within the parish or parish ward (where warded), to be received before the deadline stated in the Notice of Vacancy.

The Returning Officer for South Oxfordshire District Council is Steven Corrigan.

However, if a vacancy occurs within six months of the date of the next scheduled elections, the vacancy is carried over to the next elections. The seat will remain vacant during that time and no by-election will be held.

What happens if no candidates are nominated?

If we do not receive any candidate nominations for a by-election, the by-election must be re-run until we receive either the exact number of nominations to fill the vacant position(s), or receive more nominations than are required.

If we receive the exact number of nominations to fill the vacant position(s), the candidates are elected uncontested.