For those with local elections in England, a reminder that the regulated period starts on Monday 30 March 2026.
All spending on the election campaign must be recorded from this point until polling day on 7 May – and submitted as election expenses after the election.
Monday 30 March is the earliest point at which anyone can become a candidate. Technically, if you have not announced your intention to stand in any way, your expense period can begin when you submit your nomination papers. However ALDC always advises that you should begin to record election expenses from the earliest point, which is 30 March. This is much simpler and does not leave you open to legal challenges.
ALDC’s Election Expenses Toolkit will help you record your expenses and runs through how to complete your expense forms after the election. Our Local Election Agent Toolkit also contains important advice and resources for this.