By-elections and Casual Vacancies
Current vacancies
Casual vacancies
Vale of White Horse District Council – Ridgeway District – Notice of Vacancy.
The required number of requests have been received for the Ridgeway District Ward, and a poll will take place on Thursday 13 November.
By-elections
Ridgeway Ward – 13 November
Election Notices:
- Notice of Election
- Notice of Election Agents
- Statement of Persons Nominated
- Notice of Poll and Situation of Polling Stations
- Candidate Expense Limit
- Declaration of Results
Key dates:
Nomination Period: 9 October – 17 October (please see Notice of Election for full details).Register to vote: by midnight, 28 OctoberApply for, or amend an existing postal vote: by 5pm, 29 OctoberDispatch of postal votes: Monday 3 NovemberApply for, or amend an existing proxy vote: by 5pm, 5 NovemberApply for a Voter Authority Certificate (Photo ID): by 5pm, 5 November
Key dates – for candidates and agents
Appointment of Poll and Count Agents: by midnight, 6 November- Return of election expenses: by midnight, 18 December.
What is a by-election?
By-elections can occur in any division, ward or parish if a serving councillor resigns, dies or is disqualified, thereby creating a ‘casual vacancy’.
When a casual vacancy arises, the relevant council must publish a “Notice of Vacancy”. If a request to fill the vacancy is made in writing to the Returning Officer, and it fulfils the criteria below, a by-election will be held. The candidate elected at the by-election will then serve the remainder of the term in office until the next election.
- For a district council vacancy a request for an election must have the signatures of two electors registered within the District.
- For a parish or town council vacancy a request for an election must have the signatures of ten electors registered within the parish or parish ward (where warded), to be received before the deadline stated in the Notice of Vacancy.
The Returning Officer for Vale of White Horse District Council is Steven Corrigan.
However, if a vacancy occurs within six months of the date of the next scheduled elections, the vacancy is carried over to the next elections. The seat will remain vacant during that time and no by-election will be held.
What happens if no candidates are nominated?
If we do not receive any candidate nominations for a by-election, the by-election must be re-run until we receive either the exact number of nominations to fill the vacant position(s), or receive more nominations than are required.
If we receive the exact number of nominations to fill the vacant position(s), the candidates are elected uncontested.
For parish clerks
Guidance for parish clerks about the process is available by following this link.
Contact us - Electoral services
01235 422422
(Text phone users add 18001 before dialing)
Vale of White Horse District Council
Abbey House
Abbey Close
Abingdon
OX14 3JE
