Elections: What and When?
Information on the different types of election and when they are held.
What are the different types of election?
There are different rules for each type of election:
1. Local Government Elections
Elections for the Borough, Parishes and the County Council are held every four years.
Rushcliffe Borough Council Elections
The borough is divided into 24 wards for the purposes of Borough elections, with each ward returning between one and three councillors. The total number of councillors representing the Borough is 44. Borough (or District Councils) can choose between "all out elections" every four years or can opt for annual elections, with one third of councillors retiring each year for three years.
In Rushcliffe, all out elections are held every four years. The last Borough Council election was on 4 May 2023. Local government elections are normally held on the first Thursday in May. The next election is to be held on 6 May 2027.
Parish/Town Council Elections
With the exception of the urban area of West Bridgford, the whole of the Rushcliffe area is divided into parishes - serving approximately two thirds of the population of the borough. Every parish must have an annual parish meeting, which all local government electors for the parish are entitled to attend.
There are 42 parish areas with elected parish or town councils, returning in total 358 parish/town councillors. Elections for parish/town council elections are held at the same time as borough elections and parish/town councillors are elected for a term of four years.
County Council Elections
The Borough is divided into 9 County Divisions, returning 10 councillors to the Nottinghamshire County Council. County Council elections are held every four years and are normally held on the first Thursday in May. The last County Council election was held on 6 May 2021 and the next one is scheduled to take place on Thursday 1 May 2025.
2. UK Parliamentary Elections
The maximum period allowed between UK Parliamentary elections is five years. There is no statutory minimum period.
By constitutional law, the timing of a general election is an issue of royal prerogative. Formally, it is the King who is responsible for dissolving Parliament by Royal Proclamation. In practice, the Prime Minister will advise the King and give him/her control over the timing of the election.
The last UK Parliamentary election was held on 12 December 2019.
3. Police and Crime Commissioners
Police and Crime Commissioner elections are held very four years. The last elections were held on 6 May 2021 and the next one is scheduled to take place on Thursday 2 May 2024.
Rushcliffe is part of the Nottinghamshire Police Force Area.
Further information
If you need any further information, please contact us at elections@rushcliffe.gov.uk.
Do it online
Documents to download
- Electoral registration form
- Postal vote application form
- Proxy voting application form
- Constituency map
Useful links
- Voter ID Guide
- UK Parliament
- British government and election data website
- Electoral Commission
- Home Office information on the Police and Crime Commissioners
- How to complete your postal vote