Becoming a candidate in district elections

You must be nominated to stand as a candidate.

Further information about becoming a candidate at the elections is available from:

Electoral Commission: Candidates and agents at local elections in England

GOV.UK: Become a councillor

Qualifications for standing as a candidate

  • a person must not be disqualified from holding office
  • must be a British or Commonwealth citizen, a citizen of the Republic of Ireland or the European Union
  • be 18 years of age

You must also meet one of the following criteria:

  • be a registered local government elector within the area
  • occupied land or property in the area for the last 12 months
  • worked in the area for the last 12 months
  • resided in the area for the whole of the last 12 months

What is in a candidate nomination pack

The pack includes:

  • your nomination papers
  • information about the election, including deadlines, nomination submission rules and a timetable of key events.

Your nomination papers

Candidates should read the accompanying notes in the candidate's pack carefully before completion of the forms to avoid unnecessary delays.

The nomination form is a legal document and information entered can be challenged in a court of law.

Submit your nomination papers

Final submission of nomination papers must be delivered in person to:

  • Address Electoral Services, 3-5 Albion Street, Huddersfield, HD1 2NG

What a councillor does

The aim of a local councillor is to make their local area a better place to live and work.

The role of a councillor is valuable to local communities and has a broad range of responsibilities. A large part of a councillor role is the work they do at neighbourhood level, bringing together individuals and agencies in their ward, from the public, private and voluntary community sectors.

They act as community leaders to encourage participation in local life. A ward councillor can gather people's views and represent them at council meetings. This is a way of ensuring that service providers are accountable to service users, deliver quality and value for money.

More about being a councillor:

Attend a briefing session

A candidates' briefing session takes place after the close of nominations.

At the session the Returning Officer, Electoral Services Manager and the Police share guidance and information about a range of matters including:

  • polling stations
  • postal vote opening and checking procedures
  • verification and count processes
  • integrity and security of the election.