PCC Elections – Pre-election Period
What is the pre-election period?
The pre-election period describes the period immediately before elections or referendums when specific restrictions on communications activity are in place for public bodies and their staff in order not to unfairly influence the outcome of an election.
Who does this affect?
During the pre-election period people in roles that are defined as ‘politically restricted’ are prevented from having an active political role either in or outside of work. The staff of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and police officers are in politically restricted roles. This does not exclude them from voting.
Police staff can engage in limited political activities, subject to the terms and conditions of their role and provided that they observe the Official Secrets Act, confine their activities to times when they are not on duty, and comply with all relevant legislation.
Pre-election rules restrict activity wider than just publicity and campaigning. Use of publicly funded facilities and resources; developing new policies and holding of events – including some meetings – featuring elected officials are all carefully considered during this period.
Who are the PCC Candidates?
The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner has launched a dedicated website for anyone interested in the role and for those standing as prospective candidates: aspccelections.co.uk
The website content is maintained by the Avon and Somerset Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner with support from the Police Area Returning Officer (PARO).
You can view details of the candidates and how to contact them once they have declared their intention to stand at Choose My PCC
The election process
Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) are elected every four years. The next election for PCCs will take place on Thursday 2 May.
To vote in the PCC elections, you must be over 18 and registered to vote.
Information on registering to vote can be found on the Electoral Commission’s website
Election timetable
| 26 March | Publication of notice of election |
| 4pm 5 April | Deadline for delivery of nomination papers |
| 4pm 8 April | Candidate lists published |
| 11:59pm 16 April | Deadline to apply to register to vote |
| 5pm 17 April | Deadline to apply to vote by post, by postal proxy, and for changes to existing postal or proxy votes |
| 5pm 24 April | Deadline for new proxy vote applications |
| 7am to 10pm 2 May | Polling day |