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Election to Norfolk County Council Candidates and Agents Briefing 2 nd March 2017

Get information on voting, absentee ballots, candidates' expenses, and more for the Norfolk County Council Elections 2017.

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Election to Norfolk County Council Candidates and Agents Briefing 2 nd March 2017

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  1. Election to Norfolk County Council Candidates and Agents Briefing2nd March 2017

  2. COUNTY COUNCIL ELECTIONS 4 MAY 2017 Welcome and IntroductionSteve BlatchDeputy Returning Officer, Electoral Registration Officer Corporate Director and Head of Paid Service

  3. TOPICS COVERED TONIGHT • Who can vote • Absent Votes • Day of poll • Counting of votes • Candidates expenses • Contacts • Who’s who • Election timetable • Qualifications • Disqualifications • Nominations • Agents County Council Elections 2017

  4. WHO’S WHO • The Returning Officer for the Elections to Norfolk County Council is Chris Walton, Democratic Services Manager at the County Council • Each district council area is responsible for the delivery of the elections in their area on behalf of the County Council County Council lections 2017

  5. WHO’S WHO • The Deputy Returning Officer is the person responsible for running the elections in this District. • The Electoral Registration Officer is responsible for maintaining the register of electors and absent voters’ lists. County Council Elections 2017

  6. ELECTION TIMETABLE County Council Elections 2017

  7. ELECTION TIMETABLE (cont) County Council Elections 2017

  8. QUALIFICATIONS TO STAND FOR ELECTION Candidates must satisfy criteria on the day they are nominated and on polling day. They must be: • at least 18 years of age • British or a qualifying Commonwealth Citizen (with indefinite leave to remain), national of an EU member state Plus County Council Elections 2017

  9. QUALIFICATIONS TO STAND FOR ELECTION Plus at least one of the following: • Registered as a Local Government Elector for local authority area or • Occupied as owner or tenant any land or premises in local authority area during the whole 12 months preceding nomination or County Council Elections 2017

  10. QUALIFICATIONS TO STAND FOR ELECTION • Principal or only place of work (including unpaid) during last 12 months in local authority area or • Lived in local authority areaduring the last 12 months and NOT DISQUALIFIED County Council Elections 2017

  11. DISQUALIFICATIONS A person cannot be a candidate if they: • Are employed by the local authority or hold a paid office under the authority (including joint boards or committees). Candidates may be employed by the local authority if they work at certain schools, fire services, police or health services • Are subject of a Bankruptcy Restrictions Order (or interim order) in England or Wales • Have been sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 3 months or more (inc. suspended sentence) without option of a fine, during 5 years before polling day County Council Elections 2017

  12. DISQUALIFICATIONS • Have been disqualified under the Audit Commission Act 1998 • Are serving a disqualification due to being found guilty by an elections court of corrupt or illegal practice • Holders of a politically restricted post • Those who do not meet nationality and/or age criteria County Council Elections 2017

  13. SUBMITTING NOMINATIONS PAPERS Forms supplied to Election Agents & Candidates, available from Deputy Returning Officer (DRO) or our website (www.northnorfolk.org) Date/Time for submission - 27 March  4pm on 4 April Delivery – The DRO, NNDC, Cromer Mon – Fri (excluding bank holiday) 10am - 4pm SUBMITTING NOMINATION PAPERS: • Nomination form and the Consent to nomination by 4pm on 4 April • Make sure the nomination papers are filled in correctly, as mistakes may invalidate your nomination • It is the candidate’s responsibility to make themselves aware of the rules and abide by them. The Electoral Commission guidance for Candidates and Agents is very informative County Council Elections 2017

  14. NOMINATIONS CANDIDATES DETAILS • Full names and home address • Any commonly used forename and/or surname (optional) • Commonly used names will be used on the Ballot paper/Notice of Poll • Helpful to have contact details (telephone/email) DESCRIPTIONS ON BALLOT PAPERS • Independent candidates have 2 choices: • ‘Independent’ • or leave blank • Party-nominated candidates have 2 choices: • Registered name of the political party with the Electoral Commission (EC) • Description registered by the political party with the EC County Council Elections 2017

  15. NOMINATIONS Subscription • 10 subscribers are required, Proposer, Seconder and 8 others • Must be all Local Government Electors for the Electoral Division in which standing • Ask subscribers to sign and print their name after the candidates details and description completed • Check details of subscribers against electoral register used for nominations for their elector number, this is the 1 March 2017 update Consent to Nomination must include: • Name and address details and confirm which area standing in • Confirmation of qualification(s) that apply (at least 1, but select all that apply) • Date of birth must be included • Candidate must sign and date consent form • Witness must provide name, address and signature Withdrawal of candidature • Deadline – 4pm Tuesday 4 April 2017 • Must be signed and witnessed County Council Elections 2017

  16. CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORISATION and EMBLEM REQUEST FORM CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORISATION OF PARTY DESCRIPTION (I.E. NOT ‘INDEPENDENT’) AND USE OF EMBLEM • Candidate must have written permission to use the description from the Nominating Officer (or a person appointed by them to act on their behalf). NOT the agent unless they are the appointed person • Description on nomination paper must match authorisation certificate and be the party’s registered name or a description as registered with the EC • The certificate may allow the use of the party name or a particular description or allow the candidate to choose • Party candidates can ask for an emblem to be printed on the ballot paper and a copy of the emblem should be supplied to the LRO if required • Joint candidates – Nominated by more than one party, may use registered joint descriptions, must be supported by certificate of authorisation from each party, may use one emblem of one of the parties but there are no joint emblems, refer to EC guidance • Certificate of authorisation and emblem request must be submitted by 4pm on 4 April County Council Elections 2017

  17. NOMINATIONS • The Deputy Returning Officer will adjudicate the nomination on the basis of the information provided on the nomination paper. • Appointment system available if an informal check is requested. The only reasons for rejection are: • Particulars are not as required by law • Paper is not subscribed as required • The description is not as required Confirmation of validity: • Valid or invalid (reason) • Letter ASAP to home address County Council Elections 2017

  18. NOMINATIONS Appointment of Election Agent • Must be officially appointed, notification of appointment must reach the DRO by 4pm on Tuesday 4 April. Form in nomination pack • If no appointment received candidate becomes his own agent by default • Responsible for the proper management of your election campaign; particularly its financial management NOMINATION OFFENCE = CORRUPT PRACTICE County Council Elections 2017

  19. CORRUPT PRACTICES A person is guilty of a corrupt practice if he/she causes or permits to be included in a nomination document: • a false name and/or home address of a candidate; or • a signature of an elector who proposes, seconds or assents to, a nomination which he knows (i) was not written by the elector by whom it purports to have been written, or (ii) if written by that elector, was not written by him/her for the purpose of signifying that he/she was proposing, seconding, or (as the case may be) assenting to, that candidate’s nomination. • a false date of birth • a false statement as to his/her qualification to stand County Council Elections 2017

  20. CORRUPT AND ILLEGAL PRACTICES Consequences • Legal penalties • Election void • Disqualification from membership County Council Elections 2017

  21. CORRUPT AND ILLEGAL PRACTICES Examples • Bribery • Undue influence • Publishing of false statements • Printing and publishing notices etc without imprint of name and address of printer, publisher and promoter • False details and subscription irregularities on nomination papers • See EC Guidance for Candidates and Agents Part 4 for more information County Council Elections 2017

  22. OTHER AGENTS Other agents can be appointed to attend postal vote openings, polling stations and the count on your behalf • The DRO requires notice in writing of any people appointed as polling and counting agents by 26 April • The appointment of postal voting agents attending a particular opening session must be made before the start of the session. The DRO will give 48 hours’ notice of the session dates/times • Appointment form in the nomination pack County Council Elections 2017

  23. ACCESS TO ELECTORAL REGISTER/ABSENT VOTE LISTS • Access by candidates – once you officially become a candidate: • Earliest, on 27 March if you, or others declared yourself a candidate • Once you or others have declared yourself a candidate after this date / date you submit your nomination papers • Make written request to the ERO – forms are available from the office / are included in your nomination pack County Council Elections 2017

  24. ACCESS TO ELECTORAL REGISTER/ABSENT VOTE LISTS • Only use data for permitted purposes! • to complete the nomination form • to help you campaign • to check that donations/loans are permissible County Council Elections 2017

  25. CAMPAIGNING • Use imprints on all your campaign material, including websites • Comply with planning rules relating to advertising hoardings and large banners • Make sure outdoor posters are removed 2 weeks after the election • Do not produce material that looks like a poll card • Do not pay people to display your adverts (unless they display adverts as part of their normal business) County Council Elections 2017

  26. WHO CAN VOTE? • All persons appearing on register of Local Government electors at 04/04/17 or on ‘late’ registration lists, except: • Where their date of 18th birthday is AFTER polling day • Those classified as overseas electors, who may not vote at Local Government Elections All electors will receive poll cards delivered from 27 March County Council Elections 2017

  27. POSTAL AND PROXY VOTING POSTAL VOTING • No reason required unless elector requests ballot pack to be sent to an address other than the registered address • We suggest electors tick all elections & until further notice. • We prefer you to use our form – we will provide in electronic format so you can add emblem and imprints County Council Elections 2017

  28. POSTAL AND PROXY VOTING PROXY VOTING For a particular election if the elector: • Is away on holiday • Has any other reason to appoint a proxy Long term if elector: • Is blind or other disability • Has ill health or in residential care or hospital • Is away from home because of job or studies BUT NEEDS SUPPORT OF SPECIFIC PEOPLE DEPENDING ON CIRCUMSTANCES County Council Elections 2017

  29. POSTAL AND PROXY VOTING • PROXY VOTE • A person cannot vote for more than 2 people unless closely related • Late ‘emergency’ proxy appointments - must be attested • POSTAL PROXY • If Proxy lives away • ALL -MUST provide personal identifiers of signature and date of birth County Council Elections 2017

  30. POSTAL AND PROXY VOTING DEADLINES • New postal or postal proxy voting applications and changes to existing postal/postal proxy or proxy vote arrangements 5pm on 18 April • New Proxy Applications 5pm on 25 April • Emergency proxy applications5pm on 4 May County Council Elections 2017

  31. POSTAL AND PROXY VOTING • ISSUE of POSTAL VOTES • Aim to issue from 18 – 21 April by 1st class post - no right to attend • OPENING of POSTAL VOTES • 4.00pm daily from 24 April to 3 May • 4 May – from 10.00am (NNDC) • 4 May – after closed of poll at Count venue • Process of personal identifier verification • Right to attend or appoint agent • Comply with notice of secrecy County Council Elections 2017

  32. POSTAL AND PROXY VOTING CODE OF CONDUCT Handling applications and postal votes • No candidate or supporter should put themselves in a position where their honesty or integrity, or that of the candidate or party, can be questioned • For security reasons absent voters are required to provide signature and date of birth on applications • this information is stored electronically and checked against the postal voting statement returned with the postal vote • it is important that any received applications or postal vote packs are returned to the elections office as soon as possible to ensure adequate time for processing • we can provide a postal vote application form to ensure all the legislative requirements are covered – we will provide in electronic format so you can add emblem and imprints • Code of Conduct in your pack tonight County Council Elections 2017

  33. THE POLL • Hours of Poll Polling stations open from 7.00am to 10.00pm • Office hours Open from 6.30am to 10.00pm for queries or problems relating to the administration of the election. For queries relating to election finance issues, contact the Electoral Commission (contact details shown later) County Council Elections 2017

  34. THE POLL • Polling Stations Agents/candidates will receive details of all stations Polling Station Inspectors will be out on day • Postal Votes Postal Votes can be handed into polling stations within electoral division or delivered to the Elections Office until 10pm County Council Elections 2017

  35. THE POLL • Polling Agents • Purpose - detecting personation • Limits - 4 per station • DRO requires notice in writing of any people appointed as polling agents by 26 April - form provided in pack • Comply with Notice of secrecy • See Polling Agents information in pack • Tellers • NOT recognised in electoral law • Not to see or hear polling • See Tellers information in pack County Council Elections 2017

  36. THE COUNT • When Friday, 5 May from 9.00 am • Where North Walsham High School Sports Centre, Spenser Avenue, North Walsham County Council Elections 2017

  37. THE COUNT Who may attend and why • Candidates, election agents, counting agents and one other person appointed by the candidate are entitled to attend • DRO requires notice in writing of those appointed by 26 April • Numbers limited by DRO - details will be provided • To oversee Verification and Count proceedings • Must comply with notice of secrecy County Council Elections 2017

  38. THE COUNT • Count to be held on Friday 5 May 2017 at North Walsham School Sports Hall, Spenser Avenue NR28 9HZ commencing at 9.00am • Access to Count Hall for candidates / agents from 8.45am • Up to 200 people in the Count Hall – including Count staff, candidates and their counting agents • Doorkeeper to keep list of all persons present for health and safety purposes County Council Elections 2017

  39. THE COUNT • Normal School Day therefore all persons attending the Count need to respect operation of the school • Limited car parking available • Candidates / agents who are Blue Badge holders should advise Electoral Services who will try and secure parking on the School site but this cannot be guaranteed • All other parking will be on the Memorial Park adjoining the High School site, accessed off Happisburgh Road County Council Elections 2013

  40. THE COUNT FLOOR LAYOUT County Council Elections 2017

  41. THE COUNT • Process • One counting table per electoral division • Verification of ballot box contents – polling stations and postal votes per division • Mix verified papers • Sort between candidates • Count the number of votes cast for each candidate • Doubtful papers to be checked with Control Table • Draft result prepared and checked with Control Table County Council Elections 2017

  42. THE COUNT • Declaration of Result • Draft result discussed between DRO and candidates • Opportunity for re-count to be requested • Result declared County Council Elections 2017

  43. SPENDING ISSUES County Council Elections 2017

  44. SPENDING ISSUES Candidates spending • Defined as certain expenses ‘used for the purposes of the candidate’s election’ after the date they officially become a candidate • Responsibility of election agent - return and declaration for Agent and Candidate Limit on expenses • Currently £740 + 6 pence per elector in division on register in force on 27 March 2017 • Reduced for joint candidates • Must get and keep receipts (over £20) County Council Elections 2017

  45. SPENDING ISSUES Deadline - Returns due 35 calendar days after result of election (9 June as result declared on 5 May) • Held on deposit for 2 years and made public by Deputy Returning Officer • Sample of returns may be reviewed by the Electoral Commission • No spending will be re-imbursed Effect of non delivery - Successful candidates can’t sit on Council and liable to legal action • Failure to submit an expenses return is a criminal offence County Council Elections 2017

  46. CONTACTS ELECTORAL SERVICES OFFICE: 01263 516046 NORFOLK HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT: 013448008020- Option 2 ELECTORAL COMMISSION CONTACTS: Eastern and South East Office: 020 7271 0600 Party and Election Finance: 020 7271 0616 County Council Elections 2017

  47. COUNTY COUNCIL ELECTIONS 4 MAY 2017 ANY QUESTIONS?

  48. COUNTY COUNCIL ELECTIONS 4 MAY 2017 Thank you for attendingPlease make sure you take your Candidates Pack

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