Election information

The following elections will now take place on Thursday 6th May 2021:

• Local elections
• Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) election

Key dates

Information in BSL

Voting safely

When visiting the polling station, we ask that you:

• wear a face covering unless you have a valid exemption
• bring your own pen or pencil
• follow signs and guidance from staff at the station and adhere to social distancing

We have published more guidance on the Voting Safely at the PCC and Local Elections page.

Local elections - 6th May 2021

Local elections are your chance to have your say in who will represent your local area (ward). The next local elections will be on 6th May 2021, on the same day as the PCC Election. The notice of election (local) is available to download.

There are 17 wards in Derby, each represented by three councillors. An election is held for a councillor in each ward every year for three years, followed by a year with no election.

This year, two councillors will be elected for Darley Ward. The notice of casual vacancy (Darley Ward) is available to download.

Results for the last local elections held on 2nd May 2019 are on our Democracy Portal.

Local Elections

• Notice of election (local) - March 2021
• Statement of Persons Nominated (Local)
• Notification of Election Agents’ Names and Offices (Local)
• Notice of Poll and Situation of Polling Stations (Local)

Police and Crime Commissioner election - 6th May 2021

An election is usually held every four years for the Police and Crime Commissioner. The PCC has responsibility for policing in the Derbyshire Police area. Information about the role can be found on the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners website.

The next PCC election will be on 6th May 2021 alongside local elections.

The results of the last PCC election held on 5th May 2016 are on our Elections results page.

For information on Police and Crime Commissioner candidates standing in Derby visit choosemypcc.org.uk or call 0808 196 2170.

Notices

The notice of election (PCC) is available to download.

Notices are available for:

• Notice of election (PCC) - March 2021
• Notice of election agents' names and offices (PCC) - April 2021
• Notice of election sub-agents' names and offices (PCC) - April 2021
• Statement of persons nominated (PCC) - April 2021
• Notice of Poll (PCC)
• Situation of Polling Stations (PCC)

Supplementary Voting System

Police and Crime Commissioner elections use the Supplementary Vote (SV) system. The ballot paper will list the PCC candidates, with two columns for marking your first choice and second choice.

In the first column, you mark a cross next to the candidate who is your first choice. For your vote to be counted, you need to cast a first-choice vote.

In the second column, you can mark a cross next to the candidate who is your second choice. You don’t have to mark a second choice.

If only two candidates stand, the election will use the first-past-the-post system and you may only vote for one candidate.

Working at the elections

We are recruiting to the following positions for the 2021 elections:

• Presiding Officers
• Poll Clerks
• Verification and count assistants
• Postal vote opening assistant

For further details, or to apply, visit our election job vacancies page.

Register to vote

However you choose to vote, you must be registered. The quickest and easiest way to register to vote is online. You will need your National Insurance number when you register.

Postal voting

If you’re thinking about voting by post, you need to apply separately by downloading a form from the Electoral Commission website.

You can apply any time after you have registered to vote. Applying earlier helps us process your application in good time and send your postal vote to you sooner.

Once you’ve downloaded, printed and completed the form you can send it to postalvoting@derby.gov.uk or post it to us.

If you don’t have access to a printer let us know and we will send you a form in the post. We can’t accept forms with missing, typed or digitised signatures.

The deadline to apply for a postal vote for these elections is 5pm on Tuesday 20th April 2021. This is also the deadline to cancel or amend your existing postal vote.

Completed postal votes must reach us no later than 10pm on polling day, Thursday 6 May 2021.

Certain Royal Mail Post Boxes in the City are designated as Priority Post Boxes. These boxes have late collection times with 98% of them having a collection time of after 16.00. Visit www.royalmail.com/priority-postboxes to see if there is one near you.

When will I receive my postal vote?

Proxy voting

Proxy voting means that if you can’t cast your vote in person, you can have someone you trust cast your vote for you.
The person you wish to appoint as your proxy can only act as proxy if:

• they are 18 or over and;
• they are (or will be) registered for that election or referendum

A person cannot be a proxy for more than two people at any one election unless they are a close relative.

To request a proxy vote application form, please email proxyvoting@derby.gov.uk.

The deadline for cancellation or amendment of an existing proxy vote is 5pm on Tuesday 20th April 2021.

The deadline for applications for a new proxy vote is 5pm on Tuesday 27th April 2021.

Your vote is yours alone

Your vote belongs to you. Whether you vote at a polling station, by post, or via a proxy, it’s your decision. It’s illegal for anyone to influence you to vote against your will. 

What is voter fraud?

Voter fraud can take many different forms. No-one, not even a partner or family member, is allowed to:

• pressure you into voting a certain way
• offer you something in exchange for your vote
• pretend to be you at the polling station
• complete your postal vote for you 

What to do if you’ve seen or been a victim of voter fraud

If someone tries to take your vote, or the vote of anyone you know, you should contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or use our election fraud reporting form.

Polling station changes

There are some changes to polling stations following a review of polling districts and polling places. To find a polling district or polling station, please view our online mapping page or visit Where Do I Vote's website.

Any questions?

If you have a question or comment about elections and voting please complete the Elections and voting form.

Election Notices

Police and Crime Commissioner Election

• Notice of election (PCC) - March 2021
• Statement of persons nominated (PCC) - April 2021
• Notice of election agents' names and offices (PCC) - April 2021
• Notice of election sub-agents' names and offices (PCC) - April 2021

Local Elections

• Notice of election (local) - March 2021
• Statement of Persons Nominated (Local)
• Notification of Election Agents’ Names and Offices (Local)

How can I stand as a candidate at the PCC or local elections?

The Electoral Commission publishes guidance for candidates and prospective candidates for:

• local elections
• PCC elections

Briefings for prospective candidates and agents will take place at:

• 5.30pm on Tuesday 16th March 2021
• 5.30pm on Tuesday 20th April 2021.

Candidate briefings will be conducted via Microsoft Teams. To request an invite please email Nominations@derby.gov.uk.

Nominations

The Notice of Election (both Local and PCC) will be published on Friday 26th March 2021.

Nominations may be submitted from Monday 29th March, until 4pm on Thursday 8th April 2021. We can accept nominations between 10am and 4pm weekdays (excluding bank holidays).

Nomination papers are available on the Electoral Commission's website. There are different forms for PCC and local elections.

Candidates are encouraged to have their nomination papers informally checked before they are formally submitted. To help keep everyone safe, we are offering informal checks by email. If you would like your papers to be checked informally please email a scanned copy to nominations@derby.gov.uk.

We will conduct informal checks in the order we receive them. Please submit your nomination papers as soon as possible after 10am on 29th March to ensure we have enough time to check them.

Once we have carried out an informal check please make an appointment to formally submit your nomination papers. Appointments can be made by emailing nominations@derby.gov.uk.

When formally submitted, nomination papers must be delivered by hand and cannot be sent by post, email or other electronic means.

Deposits for the PCC election

For a PCC nomination to be valid, a deposit of £5,000 must be received by the PARO by 4pm on 8 April.

Please let us know at an early stage how you intended to pay the deposit so that there is enough time to make sure it is received by the deadline.

Due to COVID-19 it would be helpful if the required deposit can be submitted electronically wherever possible. We can accept cash or a banker’s draft, but please do not arrive to pay a cash deposit without an appointment.

A deposit is not required to stand as a candidate in the local elections.

To pay by credit or debit card online:

• visit the on-line payments service page on our website.
• From the ‘all categories’ drop down select ‘Electoral Services’.
• Scroll down to the ‘Election Deposit’ item.
• Complete the amount (£5,000) and the party / candidate details.
• Add to basket and check out using a debit or credit card.

A receipt will be sent to the email address you provide.

To pay by credit or debit card over the phone:

• Contact nominations@derby.gov.uk and leave your contact number.
• We call you and take a payment over the phone.

To pay by Bank transfer to the Derby City Council’s General Bank account:

• Transfer the deposit to our account, details of which can be requested by emailing nominations@derby.gov.uk.
• Please include the reference 2000017 W7037 which will identify your payment as a PCC election deposit.

Election expenses

Election expenses refer to the expenses that are incurred by those standing for election in the running of their campaign.

There are limits on spending for each election that all candidates must adhere to. The Proper Officer in each authority with responsibility for elections is required to retain a copy of each election spending return and declaration, and any accompanying documents, for a period of two years beginning with the date when the return is received. During that period they must make copies available on request for public inspection without charge. There are charges of 20p per side applicable for copies of expense information provided.

Where do I get more information?

Guidance for Candidates and Agents is available from the Electoral Commission or for specific requests contact us at elections@derby.gov.uk. We will also update this webpage with any relevant information relating to these elections.

Certain Royal Mail Post Boxes in the City are designated as Priority Post Boxes. These boxes have late collection times with 98% of them having a collection time of after 16.00. Visit www.royalmail.com/priority-postboxes to see if there is one near you.