How to become a councillor
How does the vacancy process begin?
We advertise all councillor vacancies. An election is called once we receive a request for an election to be held which is signed by two registered electors of Allerdale.
The election must be held within 35 days (excluding bank holidays & weekends) from the date the election was called.
How do I stand in an election and who is eligible?
After the notice of election is published contact us to request a nomination pack.
There are certain things you must qualify under in order to make your nomination valid, you can stand to be a councillor if:
- You are 18 years old or older on Election day.
- You are a British, Commonwealth or Irish Citizen of another Member State of the European Union.
AND
- You are registered as a voter in the Borough of Allerdale OR
- You are the owner or tenant of any land or premises in the Borough OR
- Your principal or only place of work for the past 12 months or more has been in the Borough of Allerdale OR
- You have lived in the Borough of Allerdale for the past 12 months
You cannot stand for election if:
- You work for a Local Authority or hold a politically restricted post
- Are an undischarged bankrupt
- Have been sentenced to a term of imprisonment in the past 5 years
- Have been disqualified under any enactment relating to corrupt illegal practices
Once you are certain you qualify you must have your nomination paper signed by a proposer, a seconder and eight other assentors, each of these must live in the Ward you are putting up for.
What to do if you want to stand for a political party
If you wish to stand for a registered political party you must be authorised to do so and authorised to use their party logo, if not you would have to stand as Independent.
When would a contested election be called?
If we receive more valid nominations than there are vacancies then we would proceed with an election, if not you will automatically be elected as a councillor.
More information
For more information visit the GOV.uk website .
