Information for candidates and agents

We will post regular updates throughout the election period on our election bulletins page.

Campaign conduct issues are a matter for the Electoral Commission and not the returning officer.

Please refer to Part 4 of the guidance for candidates on the Electoral Commission website.

If you need to report campaign material on North Somerset Council property, contact our highways department by emailing adam.wood@n-somerset.gov.uk.

You are entitled to a copy of the register of electors for the area in which you are standing.

You should complete and return the relevant form to us at candidates@n-somerset.gov.uk.

The opening of postal votes will take place at the Town Hall in Weston-super-Mare on the dates specified in the election timetable.

If you want to attend any of the opening of postal vote sessions, or to appoint an agent to attend on your behalf, ​please email candidates@n-somerset.gov.uk in advance.

The verification of the votes will start as soon as practicable after the close of poll at 10pm at Hutton Moor Leisure Centre. All candidates, election agents (district only), appointed counting agents and guests are permitted to attend the verification.

The counting of the votes will also be held at Hutton Moor Leisure Centre on Friday 5 May 2023 (time TBC). We will count all the North Somerset Council ballot papers first, followed by the town and parish councils. Candidates, election agents (district only), appointed counting agents and guests are only permitted to attend the count relating to their election.

More information about the process will be available on our verification and count page soon.

The deadline to appoint polling agents, counting agents and guests to the count is Wednesday 26 April and there will be a limit on how many you will be permitted. We will add more information to this page when it becomes available.

The deadline is fixed in law and offers us no flexibility. Attendees that have not registered and therefore have not been included on the attendance list will not be admitted.

If you intend to appoint polling agents, counting agents or guests to the count, please complete and return the relevant form to candidates@n-somerset.gov.uk.

Please refer to Part 3 of the guide for candidates on the Electoral Commission's website for their guidance on how to complete your return and the election expenses pack.

The date required for the notice of election which is to be included on your expenses form is the last day for publication of notice of election which is Monday 27 March 2023.

Expenditure for local elections is limited by law for each entry in the Register of Electors for the appropriate electoral area. 

The appropriate forms must be completed and returned to the returning officer at Town Hall, Walliscote Grove Road, Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset, BS23 1UJ or emailed to candidates@n-somerset.gov.uk by the deadline.

Failure to send in these forms (even 'nil' returns) within the prescribed time constitutes an election offence.

If you have been unable to find the answers to your queries on this page, please email candidates@n-somerset.gov.uk.