Stand as a candidate in an election

Standing as a candidate

You must meet certain criteria to stand as a candidate for public office. The Electoral Commission has published candidate guidance and information for each type of election:

• Local government elections - information for candidates (covering Cheltenham Borough and Gloucestershire County Councils)
• Parish council elections - information for candidates
• Gloucestershire Police and Crime Commissioner election - information for candidates

You can find out more information on being a councillor on the Local Government Association website.

Nomination papers can be submitted each working day from 25 March to 2 April 2025 between 10am and 4pm. Please contact the office on 01242 264132 or email [email protected] to arrange an appointment. Completed nomination papers will need to be hand delivered to the Municipal Offices, Promenade, Cheltenham. You will need to make an appointment for informal checks. We strongly advise an informal check and delivery of papers to be carried out as early as possible. 

To assist with completing the nomination papers, the Electoral Commission have published animated resources to provide an overview of how the forms should be completed.

• Completing your nomination papers
• Home address form

You can find out more information on being a councillor on the Local Government Association website. The Electoral Commission has published candidate guidance and information for each type of election.

See our animation on becoming a councillor