Campaigning
The Electoral Commission have put together guidance for candidates and agents at all upcoming elections. It covers campaigning including imprints, donations and much more.
Electoral Commission Local Election Guidance.
We have also composed some additional resources to help you prepare for these polls.
Politics can be an emotive topic for everyone and unfortunately there has been a rise in intimidatory behaviour for campaigners in recent years.
We have not received reports of this in Chelmsford, but it is something to be mindful of to ensure that we can keep everyone safe.
We suggest that you ensure that any candidates or volunteers that are door knocking or meeting with members of the public do so in pairs and tell someone else their planned route.
If a conversation escalates into an argument, then you should remove yourself from the situation.
Do not be afraid to report these issues.
Chelmsford City Council has an single point of contact (SPOC) with Essex Police that is helping us to administer a safe election in our area. Them and their team are also there to support you, should you need them
Ahead of polling day the police are provided a list of all polling stations across Chelmsford and have extra patrols to ensure that the election can be administered safely.
You can contact the team at:
Chelmsford.And.Maldon.CPT.Sgts@essex.police.uk
You can find out more about how you can stay safe whilst campaigning.
DLUHC have also now released some security advice for this election.
It is really important that you make sure that you explain to anyone supporting your campaign, including any volunteers, the importance of following the code of conduct.
The purpose of following the code of conduct is to ensure that the election runs fairly and safely, but it is also to protect you from claims of electoral interference and in serious cases, legal challenges.
Remember to take a step back and think 'what would a reasonable observer think of this?'
During the regulated period of an election there is a limit as to how much each candidate can spend on their campaign. This is calculated using the formula £960 plus 8p per elector.
As at the notice of election, the candidate spending limits for each electoral area are:
- Broomfield and Writtle - £2,237
- Chelmer - £2,274
- Chelmsford Central - £2,092
- Chelmsford North - £2,161
- Chelmsford West - £2,016
- Danbury and The Hanningfields - £2,212
- Great Baddow and Galleywood - £2172.48
- Springfield - £2,142
- Woodham Ferrers - £2,077
When does the regulated period begin?
The date that the regulated period applies from depends on when you officially become a candidate.
The earliest date that the regulated period may begin is from the notice of election (27th March 2036). This would apply to candidates who had publicly confirmed that they would be standing for election before this date.
If you hadn't declared that you would be standing before this date, then it would begin either when you do announce that you will stand, or the day after you submit your nomination papers, whichever is earliest.
What do you need to do?
During the regulated period, you must keep a record of all of the costs incurred related to your campaign. Including what it was for and how much it cost.
Receipts must be kept for all spend over £20.
After the election each candidate must return a record of their election expenses, even if it is a nil return.
You can download a form to complete your spending return in a variety of formats for your ease.
Each candidate for this election is entitled to a copy of the electoral register and absent voters list for their area to support their campaign.
If you are a member of a political party, then they may already have this to supply for you.
You can request a copy of the electoral register, but you must ensure that it is used within the guidelines e.g. it is not used for sales or shared with others.
In the run up to the election, from 27th March Chelmsford City Council are in what is called the pre-election period. In this period there are limitations regarding what The Council can do and what our Councillors are allowed to ask of officers and publicise.
For example, no City Council resources can be used to support a candidates’ campaign.
If you have any queries related to pre-election, please contact us.
When you or those supporting your campaign attend key election events, you must make sure that they have read and follow the relevant secrecy requirements to ensure that we can deliver these elections fairly and without conflict.
Secrecy requirements at postal vote opening sessions