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Information for candidates, agents and parish clerks – Local Elections 2023

Key Dates for this election

  • 20 March – Notice of Election published
  • 20 March to 4 April (10am – 4pm) – nominations forms must be delivered in person to Abbey House, Abingdon, OX14 3JE
  • 4 April – deadline for receipt of Nominations, withdrawal of candidates, and appointment of Election Agents (4pm)
  • 5 April – Statement of Persons Nominated published
  • 17 April – deadline to register to vote (midnight)
  • 18 April – deadline to apply to vote by post (5pm)
  • 25 April – Notice of Poll published
  • 25 April – deadline to apply to vote by proxy (5pm)
  • 25 April – deadline to apply for voter ID (5pm)
  • 26 April – deadline to appoint poll and count agents
  • 4 May – election day
  • 5 May – verification and count

Election Notices

We will publish election notices on our Local Elections 2023 page, and we will also forward them to parish clerks to publish locally.

Standing as a candidate at the 2023 local elections

To stand as a district councillor or parish councillor you will need to download, print and complete the correct nomination paper below.

Completed nomination papers must be hand delivered to our office at Abbey House, Abbey Close, Abingdon (OX14 3JE) between 10am on Monday 20 March and 4pm on Tuesday 4 April 2023.

Guide to standing as a parish councillor

For information about standing as a parish councillor, please visit the Electoral Commission’s page on Parish Council Elections.

You can also contact the relevant town/parish council or the Oxfordshire Association of Local Councils (OALC)

You can also view an example of a completed parish nomination pack.

Guide to standing as a district councillor

For information about standing as a district councillor please visit the Electoral Commission’s page on Local Elections.

You can also view an example of a completed district election nomination pack.

Campaigning

As with national elections, you and your campaigners must follow the Electoral Commission’s Code of Conduct for Campaigners.  This which outlines what is, and what is not, acceptable behaviour at polling stations and in the community during the lead up to polling day.

Online briefing for candidates and agents

A online briefing briefing was held by South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse for candidates and agents on Thursday 2 March 2023.  For those who were unable to attend, a copy of the candidates and agents presentation is available by following this link

Electoral Commission briefing for candidates and agents – spending and donation rules – Tuesday 11 April

The Electoral Commission is hosting a pre-election webinar for candidates and their agents taking part in elections in England on 4 May. The webinar provides an opportunity to gain essential information on the spending and donation rules, including:

  • when the spending rules apply
  • how much you can spend
  • notional spending rules
  • who you can accept donations from
  • what you need to report after the election in your spending return
  • guidance on harassment and intimidation at elections and when it goes too far

There will also be a chance to ask questions. The webinar will take place using Microsoft Teams on Tuesday 11 April 2023 at 12pm – 1pm.

To confirm your attendance, please complete the Electoral Commission’s form and let them know if you have a specific question or topic you would like covered on the day. If you have further questions about the event please email sbutler@electoralcommission.org.uk

Candidate spending limits

Keep up to date

If you would like to be added to our candidates and agents’ distribution list, please email elections@southandvale.gov.uk

Contact us - Electoral services

01235 422528
(Text phone users add 18001 before dialing)

elections@southandvale.gov.uk

South Oxfordshire District Council
Abbey House
Abbey Close
Abingdon
OX14 3JE

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