(b) if an election petition questioning the election or return is presented before that day, on the next working day following the conclusion of proceedings on the petition or on appeal from such proceedings.

(2) In this rule, “working day” means a day other than—

(a) a Saturday or Sunday,

(b) Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Good Friday or a bank holiday, or

(3) For the purposes of paragraph (2), “bank holiday” has the meaning given in rule 4(2).

Destruction of home address forms

64A

(1) The CA/CCA returning officer must destroy each candidate’s home address form—

(a) on the next working day following the 35th day after the officer returns the name of the mayor elected, or

(b) if an election petition questioning the election or return is presented before that day, on the next working day following the conclusion of proceedings on the petition or on appeal from such proceedings.

(2) In this rule, “working day” means a day other than—

(a) a Saturday or Sunday,

(b) Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Good Friday or a bank holiday, or

(3) For the purposes of paragraph (2), “bank holiday” has the meaning given in rule 4(2).

Where the forms are to be used in relation to a combined county authority mayoral election, rather than a combined authority mayoral election—

(a) for “combined authority” in each place where those words occur in a form substitute “combined county authority”;

(b) in Form 2 (form of candidate’s consent to nomination)—

(i) for “paragraph 9 or 9A of Schedule 5B of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009” in each place where those words occur substitute “paragraph 8 or 9 of Schedule 2 to the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023”;

(ii) for “paragraph 9A of Schedule 5B of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009” substitute “paragraph 9 of Schedule 2 to the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023”;

Front of ballot paper

Back of ballot paper

...

Back of ballot paper

The ... count

Procedure at conclusion of ... count

The ... count

Procedure at conclusion of ... count

Refusal to deliver ballot paper

41A

(1) Where a presiding officer refuses to deliver a ballot paper to a voter who applied for one as an elector, the officer or a clerk must enter on the ballot paper refusal list—

(a) the voter’s electoral number, and

(b) against that number, the reason for the refusal.

(2) Where a presiding officer refuses to deliver a ballot paper to a voter who applied for one as a proxy, the officer or a clerk must enter on the ballot paper refusal list—

(a) the name and address of the voter, and

(b) against those details, the reason for the refusal.

(3) Paragraphs (4) and (5) apply where—

(a) a presiding officer refuses to deliver a ballot paper to a voter under rule 37(1E), and

(b) the voter makes a further application as permitted by rule 37(1G).

(4) If a ballot paper is delivered to the voter following that application, the presiding officer or a clerk must note that fact on the ballot paper refusal list.

(5) If the presiding officer again refuses to deliver a ballot paper to the voter, the presiding officer or a clerk must note that fact on the ballot paper refusal list.

(6) Entries required by this rule to be made on the ballot paper refusal list must be made as soon as practicable after delivery of a ballot paper to a voter is refused (or, in the case mentioned in paragraph (4), as soon as practicable after the delivery of a ballot paper to a voter).

(7) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(a), a person’s “electoral number” is the number—

(a) allocated to the person as stated in the copy of the register of electors, or

(b) where an entry relating to the person is added to the register in pursuance of a notice issued under section 13B(3B) or (3D) of the 1983 Act, as stated in the copy of that notice.

(8) Subject to rule 37(1G) and paragraph (9), a refusal to deliver a ballot paper to a voter is final and may not be questioned in any proceeding whatsoever.

(9) A refusal to deliver a ballot paper to a voter is subject to review on an election petition.

(10) In this rule—

(a) except in paragraph (3)(a), any reference to the refusal to deliver a ballot paper (however expressed) is to the refusal to do so under rule 35(3) or 37(1E), and

(b) any reference to paragraph (1E) or (1G) of rule 37 includes a reference to that paragraph as applied by rule 38, 39 or 40.

Collection and disclosure of information relating to applications made under rules 37 to 40

41B

(1) This rule applies in relation to an election to which the Secretary of State’s duty under section 59A(4) of the 1983 Act (reports on voter identification requirements in respect of local government elections) applies by virtue of subsection (5A) of that section.

(2) The presiding officer must—

(a) collect the information described in regulation 34 of the Voter Identification Regulations 2022 (collection of information by presiding officer) relating to applications made under rules 37(1), 38(1), 39(1) or 40(1), and

(b) provide that information to the returning officer as soon as practicable after the close of the poll.

(3) The returning officer must forward the information to the relevant registration officer.

(4) As soon as reasonably practicable after receiving the information the relevant registration officer must—

(a) anonymise the information by removing from it all names and electoral numbers of the people to whom the information relates, and

(b) collate the information in accordance with regulation 35 of the Voter Identification Regulations 2022 (collation of information by relevant registration officer).

The information as anonymised and collated in accordance with this paragraph is referred to in the rest of this rule as “the paragraph (4) information”.

(5) The relevant registration officer must provide the paragraph (4) information—

(a) to the Secretary of State, as soon as reasonably practicable after taking the steps required by paragraph (4), and

(b) where they request the information, to the Electoral Commission.

(6) The relevant registration officer must not disclose the paragraph (4) information otherwise than in accordance with paragraph (5).

(7) The relevant registration officer must retain the information anonymised in accordance with paragraph (4)(a) for at least 10 years.

(8) For the purpose of paragraph (4)(a), a person’s “electoral number” is the number—

(a) allocated to the person as stated in the copy of the register of electors, or

(b) where an entry relating to the person is added to the register in pursuance of a notice issued under section 13B(3B) or (3D) of the 1983 Act, as stated in the copy of that notice.

(9) Except as provided by paragraph (10), a disclosure of information under this rule does not breach—

(a) any obligation of confidence owed by the presiding officer, the returning officer or a registration officer, or

(b) any other restriction on the disclosure of information (however imposed).

(10) Nothing in this rule authorises the making of a disclosure that contravenes the data protection legislation (but in determining whether a disclosure would do so, the duties imposed by paragraphs (2) and (3) are to be taken into account).

(11) In this rule—

(a) “the data protection legislation” has the same meaning as in the Data Protection Act 2018;

(b) references to the relevant registration officer are to the registration officer of the ... council in relation to whose area the returning officer exercises functions under this Order.

Spoilt ballot papers

Correction of errors on day of poll

Adjournment of poll in case of riot

Procedure on close of poll

Attendance at verification

Procedure at verification of ballot paper accounts

Additional steps: verification and count carried out at different places

Attendance at the count

The ... count

Rejected ballot papers

Decisions on ballot papers

Re-count

Procedure at conclusion of ... count

Refusal to deliver ballot paper

41A

(1) Where a presiding officer refuses to deliver a ballot paper to a voter who applied for one as an elector, the officer or a clerk must enter on the ballot paper refusal list—

(a) the voter’s electoral number, and

(b) against that number, the reason for the refusal.

(2) Where a presiding officer refuses to deliver a ballot paper to a voter who applied for one as a proxy, the officer or a clerk must enter on the ballot paper refusal list—

(a) the name and address of the voter, and

(b) against those details, the reason for the refusal.

(3) Paragraphs (4) and (5) apply where—

(a) a presiding officer refuses to deliver a ballot paper to a voter under rule 37(1E), and

(b) the voter makes a further application as permitted by rule 37(1G).

(4) If a ballot paper is delivered to the voter following that application, the presiding officer or a clerk must note that fact on the ballot paper refusal list.

(5) If the presiding officer again refuses to deliver a ballot paper to the voter, the presiding officer or a clerk must note that fact on the ballot paper refusal list.

(6) Entries required by this rule to be made on the ballot paper refusal list must be made as soon as practicable after delivery of a ballot paper to a voter is refused (or, in the case mentioned in paragraph (4), as soon as practicable after the delivery of a ballot paper to a voter).

(7) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(a), a person’s “electoral number” is the number—

(a) allocated to the person as stated in the copy of the register of electors, or

(b) where an entry relating to the person is added to the register in pursuance of a notice issued under section 13B(3B) or (3D) of the 1983 Act, as stated in the copy of that notice.

(8) Subject to rule 37(1G) and paragraph (9), a refusal to deliver a ballot paper to a voter is final and may not be questioned in any proceeding whatsoever.

(9) A refusal to deliver a ballot paper to a voter is subject to review on an election petition.

(10) In this rule—

(a) except in paragraph (3)(a), any reference to the refusal to deliver a ballot paper (however expressed) is to the refusal to do so under rule 35(3) or 37(1E), and

(b) any reference to paragraph (1E) or (1G) of rule 37 includes a reference to that paragraph as applied by rule 38, 39 or 40.

Collection and disclosure of information relating to applications made under rules 37 to 40

41B

(1) This rule applies in relation to an election to which the Secretary of State’s duty under section 59A(4) of the 1983 Act (reports on voter identification requirements in respect of local government elections) applies by virtue of subsection (5A) of that section.

(2) The presiding officer must—

(a) collect the information described in regulation 34 of the Voter Identification Regulations 2022 (collection of information by presiding officer) relating to applications made under rules 37(1), 38(1), 39(1) or 40(1), and

(b) provide that information to the returning officer as soon as practicable after the close of the poll.

(3) The returning officer must forward the information to the relevant registration officer.

(4) As soon as reasonably practicable after receiving the information the relevant registration officer must—

(a) anonymise the information by removing from it all names and electoral numbers of the people to whom the information relates, and

(b) collate the information in accordance with regulation 35 of the Voter Identification Regulations 2022 (collation of information by relevant registration officer).

The information as anonymised and collated in accordance with this paragraph is referred to in the rest of this rule as “the paragraph (4) information”.

(5) The relevant registration officer must provide the paragraph (4) information—

(a) to the Secretary of State, as soon as reasonably practicable after taking the steps required by paragraph (4), and

(b) where they request the information, to the Electoral Commission.

(6) The relevant registration officer must not disclose the paragraph (4) information otherwise than in accordance with paragraph (5).

(7) The relevant registration officer must retain the information anonymised in accordance with paragraph (4)(a) for at least 10 years.

(8) For the purpose of paragraph (4)(a), a person’s “electoral number” is the number—

(a) allocated to the person as stated in the copy of the register of electors, or

(b) where an entry relating to the person is added to the register in pursuance of a notice issued under section 13B(3B) or (3D) of the 1983 Act, as stated in the copy of that notice.

(9) Except as provided by paragraph (10), a disclosure of information under this rule does not breach—

(a) any obligation of confidence owed by the presiding officer, the returning officer or a registration officer, or

(b) any other restriction on the disclosure of information (however imposed).

(10) Nothing in this rule authorises the making of a disclosure that contravenes the data protection legislation (but in determining whether a disclosure would do so, the duties imposed by paragraphs (2) and (3) are to be taken into account).

(11) In this rule—

(a) “the data protection legislation” has the same meaning as in the Data Protection Act 2018;

(b) references to the relevant registration officer are to the registration officer of the ... council in relation to whose area the returning officer exercises functions under this Order.

Spoilt ballot papers

Correction of errors on day of poll

Adjournment of poll in case of riot

Procedure on close of poll

Attendance at verification

Procedure at verification of ballot paper accounts

Additional steps: verification and count carried out at different places

Attendance at the count

The ... count

Rejected ballot papers

Decisions on ballot papers

Re-count

Procedure at conclusion of ... count

Front of form

Rear of form

Front of form

Rear of form

Form 11: Official proxy postal poll card

Form 12 – Directions for the guidance of voters

Form 13 - Certificate of employment

Conduct of CA/CCA mayoral elections

Combined county authority returning officer

6A

(1) The combined county authority must appoint one of its officers, or one of the officers of a constituent council, to be the combined county authority returning officer in relation to the election.

(2) The combined county authority returning officer may give, to a returning officer, directions relating to the discharge of the returning officer’s functions at the election, including directions requiring the provision to the combined county authority returning officer of any information which the returning officer has or is entitled to have, directions requiring the returning officer to take specified steps in preparation for the election, directions that the ballot papers must be printed by the combined county authority returning officer and directions that the count of votes must be conducted at a central location.

(3) It is the duty of a returning officer to whom directions are given under paragraph (2) to discharge the returning officer’s functions at the election in accordance with the directions.

Questioning of a CA/CCA mayoral election

Free delivery of election addresses

Application of the Order prior to the establishment of a particular combined authority

10

(1) Prior to the establishment of a combined county authority under section 9 of the 2023 Act—

(a) references in this Order to “the combined county authority” are to be read as references to “the proposed combined county authority”, and references to “the combined county authority mayor”, “the combined county authority mayoral election” and “the combined county authority area” are to be construed accordingly;

(b) article 6A should be read as if for paragraph (1) there were substituted—

(1) The constituent councils of the proposed combined county authority may appoint one of the officers of a constituent council to be the combined county authority returning officer in relation to the election.

(c) any expenses met by the constituent councils of the proposed combined county authority in accordance with article 8(2) (as modified by sub-paragraph (a)) must be reimbursed by the combined county authority after it has been established;

(d) in Schedule 2, paragraph 1(6)(b) is to be read as if for the modification of the RPA 1983 that inserted subsection (4D) there were substituted—

(4D) All expenditure properly incurred by a returning officer or a combined county authority returning officer in relation to the holding of a combined county authority mayoral election before the combined county authority has been established may in so far as it does not, in cases where there is a scale fixed for the purposes of this section by the constituent councils of the proposed combined county authority, exceed that scale, be paid by those constituent councils, and if so, the combined county authority must, once it has been established, reimburse those constituent councils.

(2) If the combined county authority returning officer appointed in accordance with article 6A(1) as modified by paragraph (1)(b) is unable to act after the combined county authority is established, a new combined county authority returning officer must be appointed in accordance with article 6A(1) in unmodified form.

CA/CCA returning officer's re-count

Form 14: declaration to be made by the companion of a voter with disabilities

CA/CCA returning officer's re-count

Form 1: Nomination paper

Form 2: Candidate's consent to nomination

Form 3: Ballot paper ... including directions as to printing

Form 5: Corresponding Number List M1

Form 6: Corresponding Number List M2

Form 7(1): Postal Voting Statement

Form 7(2): Postal Voting Statement

Form 8: Elector's official poll card

Form 9: Official postal poll card

Form 10: Official proxy poll card

Form 11: Official proxy postal poll card

Form 11A: Ballot paper refusal list

Form 12: Directions for guidance of voters

Form 13: Certificate of employment

Form 14: Declaration to be made by the companion of a voter with disabilities.

9

(1) Prior to the establishment of a combined authority under section 103 of the 2009 Act—

(a) references in this Order to “the combined authority” are to be read as references to “the proposed combined authority”, and references to “the combined authority mayor”, “the combined authority mayoral election” and “the combined authority area” are to be construed accordingly;

(b) article 6(1) is to be read as if for paragraph (1) there were substituted—

(1) The constituent councils of the proposed combined authority may appoint one of the officers of a constituent council, to be the combined authority returning officer in relation to the election.

(c) any expenses met by the constituent councils of the proposed combined authority in accordance with article 8(2) (as modified by sub-paragraph (a)) must be reimbursed by the combined authority after it has been established;

(d) in Schedule 2, paragraph 1(6)(b) is to be read as if for the modification of the RPA 1983 that inserted subsection (4C) there were substituted—

(4C) All expenditure properly incurred by a returning officer or a combined authority returning officer in relation to the holding of a combined authority mayoral election before the combined authority has been established may in so far as it does not, in cases where there is a scale fixed for the purposes of this section by the constituent councils of the proposed combined authority, exceed that scale, be paid by those constituent councils, and if so, the combined authority must, once it has been established, reimburse those constituent councils.

(2) If the combined authority returning officer appointed in accordance with article 6(1) as modified by paragraph (1)(b) is unable to act after the combined authority is established, a new combined authority returning officer must be appointed in accordance with article 6(1) in unmodified form.

Application of the Order prior to the establishment of a particular combined county authority

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