How to become a councillor

To stand as a candidate at any election a nomination paper must be submitted. The nomination paper gives details of name, address and political description. A nomination paper has to be signed by the correct number of supporters. Nomination papers must be hand delivered to the Returning Officer at the offices of the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, at the address shown below.  The exact dates are added here when we are running up to an election.

We request that an appointment is made by emailing elections@rbwm.gov.uk so that we can ensure that there is someone available to receive the papers. 

To stand as a candidate in a parish, town or community council election two people will need to sign the nomination paper. These two people are known as supporters.

To stand as a candidate in a borough council election the number of people needed to sign the nomination paper has been reduced from ten to two following the introduction of the Election Act 2022.

Nomination papers are available from the Electoral Commision website.

Everyone signing the nomination paper must be included on the Register of Electors for the area in which the election is to be held (Borough/Parish or Community Ward). If someone signs your nomination paper and they are not included on the relevant Register of Electors, the paper will not be valid.

During an election some candidates appoint persons to assist them in their campaign. These are known as election agents and they are responsible for the financial management of your campaign. They arrange the appointment of other agents (polling and count). More information on the appointment of polling and counting agents will be given once the decision is made to stand for election.

Your name and address must be given in full. The law now limits the description candidates can use. For a borough council election, unless a person is standing on behalf of a political party, they may only use the word "Independent" or leave this part blank. Candidates cannot submit a nomination paper using a political party description unless they have permission to do so and a certificate from the appropriate party saying that they are allowed to use the description.