Information for candidates and agents
This page contains relevant information and guidance for prospective candidates and their agents for the Thursday 1 May 2025 Warwickshire County Council elections.
Electoral timetable
The timetable contains the statutory deadlines applicable at this election.
Nomination papers
You are strongly advised to read the accompanying guidance contained within the nomination paper before submitting it.
The Electoral Commission has produced some short videos designed to help candidates complete their nomination paper and home address form.
Nomination appointments
Nomination appointments will commence following the publication of the notice of election. The notice is scheduled to be published on Friday 21st March 2025, with nomination appointments commencing on Monday 24 March 2025. The notice will detail the timeframe, location and days available for the delivery of the nomination papers.
Appointments will be available by emailing us at elections@warwickdc.gov.uk or contacting us on 01926 456105 following publication of the notice. Please note, we will only be able to accept nomination papers that cover the electoral divisions that lie within the Warwick District.
If the division you are submitting nomination papers lies within the boundaries of a different borough or district, you should make contact with that authority.
Informal check of a nomination paper
Electoral Services will offer an ‘informal check’ of nomination papers prior to a formal submission. The informal check is designed to identify errors or missing information within the nomination papers. The check can be undertaken by emailing your intended final papers to elections@warwickdc.gov.uk.
By emailing your pack for an informal check, this does not constitute a formal acceptance of a candidate’s nomination. Nor does it replace the requirement for the original nomination to be formally submitted by hand within the defined time as stated on the Notice of Election.
Candidates and agents Electoral Commission webinar
In preparation for the May 2025 local government elections, the Electoral Commission are hosting a webinar for candidates and agents on Wednesday 5 March, 12pm - 1:30pm.
The webinar will provide an overview of the candidates and agents guidance. It is also an opportunity to gain essential information on nominations processes, postal vote handling and political finance laws.
The session will contain practical hints and tips to support your understanding of your obligations and how to apply the law in practice. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions throughout the session.
To request your attendance, please complete the short form.
Register requests and absent vote lists
Copies of the relevant part of the electoral register will be available once an individual becomes an official candidate. The earliest point this will be is when the Notice of Election is published, and you are declared as the candidate.
At your nomination appointment, we will supply (upon request) the Electoral Commission register request form for completion.
Candidate and Agent briefing
For candidates and their agents standing in a county division that lies within the Warwick District, there will be a candidates and agents briefing delivered via Teams. The scheduled date for this briefing is 14 March 2025 at 4.55pm.
To request an invitation to attend, please email: elections@warwickdc.gov.uk, providing your name and email address. If the electoral division you are intending to be a candidate or agent lies within a different district or borough, please contact the relevant local authority for details on their briefing. Once the briefing has been scheduled, the date and time will be communicated to you with the link to join the briefing.
Poll cards
Poll cards will be despatched to Royal Mail on 21 March 2025, with expected delivery from 24 March 2025. A second run of poll cards will be released on 24 April 2025, covering later registrations or amendments.
Postal votes
Postal votes will be released to Royal Mail in two tranches.
- The first tranche will be released to Royal Mail with an expected delivery date from 14 April 2025
- The second and final tranche of postal votes has an expected delivery date from the 23 April 2025
The first tranche will include any elector with an existing postal vote in place before 18 March 2025. Electors or proxies who submit a successfully determined postal vote application between 18 March 2025 and the postal vote deadline at 5pm on Monday 14 April 2025 will be included in the second tranche.
Registration
The deadline for registering to vote at this election is midnight, Friday 11 April 2025. Individuals can register online. If an individual is unable to register online, please direct the individual to contact us at 01926 456105.
Count venue, count agents and polling agents
The Verification and Count will take place at Stoneleigh NAEC. Once a candidate is validly nominated, you will be entitled to attend the verification and counting of votes. In addition to candidates and their agents, a candidate will be able to bring ONE guest and appoint a fixed number of count agents.
The number of count agents is determined using the EC formula and will be communicated to you at a later stage. Please refer to the Electoral Commission guidance for Candidates and Agents for further in-depth details.
Last updated - 3 March 2025