Become a councillor

If you want to be a local councillor, you can stand as a representative of a party, or as an independent candidate.

To be able to stand as a candidate, you need to be:

  • 18 years old on the day of nomination
  • a British, Irish or qualifying Commonwealth citizen

You also need to have either:

  • lived in the Harlow district for at least a year before your nomination
  • registered as a local government elector within the Harlow district
  • rented or owned any land or premises within the Harlow district for at least a year before your nomination
  • had your main employment in the Harlow district for at least a year before your nomination

You also need to get:

  • 1 person to agree to propose your nomination
  • 1 person to agree to second the proposal
  • 8 people to sign your nomination paper.

All 10 of these people must be on the electoral register for the ward in which you are standing.

You cannot stand as a candidate if you:

  • are employed by Harlow Council
  • are subject to a Bankruptcy Restriction Order
  • have a previous criminal conviction with a 3-month or more prison sentence, during the last 5 years
  • have been disqualified under any legislation relating to illegal practices in elections.

More information on becoming a candidate can be found on the Electoral Commission website