Election costs, charges and expenses

Local elections and referendums

Local elections and referendums are funded by the local authority.

A Returning Officer is appointed by the local authority to administer the poll and is personally responsible for its delivery. The Returning Officer is permitted to appoint staff from the local authority to help run the election.

To ensure elections are run fairly and consistently, a standard scale of fees and charges is used for election payments.

National elections and referendums

National elections and referendums are funded centrally by the relevant government body. Funding covers fees and expenses for the Returning Officer to plan and deliver the poll in accordance with legal requirements. A standard scale of fees and charges used for local elections and referendums is used as a guide for election payments within the constraints of any budget allocated.

Freedom of Information (FOI) requests for election expenses

Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) and Returning Officers (ROs) are not included in the definition of a ‘public authority’ within the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and are therefore exempt from disclosure requirements in FOI requests.

Last updated 05 November 2026