Help and Advice for UK Professionals
involved in Electoral Administration
Being the Returning Officer in 2017
A half-day training session for Chief Executives
and others with a personal responsibility
for running the poll
Course
Objective(s)
To raise awareness of the electoral processes and improve Returning Officers' ability
to perform their statutory duties.
Who should
attend
Both new and experienced Returning Officers, their appointed Deputies and any
accompanying Electoral Service Managers
1. Understand the unique position of the Returning Officer and the personal
consequences of failing.
2. Consider the pitfalls and challenges of running Elections
3. Appreciate the myriad of legal and procedural responsibilities
4. Consider examples of good and bad practice
5. Understand the skills and techniques needed to run an effective and efficient
election
What you
can expect
to achieve
by
attendance
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Help and Advice for UK Professionals
involved in Electoral Administration
Returning Officers are subject to the Electoral Commission’s performance standards and should ideally
undertake continuous personal development in regards to election management. Anyone appointed as
Returning Officer is ultimately responsible for the proper conduct of the election. Do they fully understand
the personal responsibility and liability they hold?
These half-day sessions will be limited to small groups and are aimed at Returning Officer level (e.g.
Chief Executives or other senior officers who undertake that role), who may wish to be accompanied by
their Electoral Services Manager and or Deputy Returning Officer – remember it is teamwork that delivers
a successful election! The programme will take attendees through their legal and procedural
responsibilities as well as providing practical advice on the key things to look out for and guidance on
potential problems that may arise. The course will be delivered by Paul Morris who has a wealth of
experience of all types of elections at a high level.
8.45am: Registration and Coffee
9.00am: Session 1
 Introductions and overview of course
 (Acting) Returning Officer
 Managing the Election
 Critical Factors
 Appointment, deputies, role
 Key stages
 Pre-election activity inc Project Planning,
Business Continuity and Risk Planning
 Local Authority publicity
 Nominations, Poll cards, ballot
papers and notice of poll
 Election agents
 Staffing
10:45am: Tea and Coffee
11:00am: Session 2
 Combined polls
 Notices
 Coping with a combined poll
 Postal Votes
 Polling day
 The count/s
 Managing the media
 Avoiding a petition
 Performance Standards, Future
Elections/Referendums
1.00pm: Questions, course conclusion
Method
The Course will be delivered
using a mixture of
presentational material, group
discussions and reference to
example documentation and
official guidance.
Attendees will be provided with
a pack on arrival at the course,
containing course notes,
guidance documents and
example materials
Help and Advice for UK Professionals
involved in Electoral Administration
Dates and
Venues
18 January 2017
Wycombe
23 February 2017
York
10 March 2017
Camden
Course Trainer – Paul Morris
Paul has been involved in the running of Elections/Electoral Registration for over 40 years and is a
past Chair of the Association of Electoral Administrators. He has been the Regional Returning
Officer for the South West [including Gibraltar] since 2003. He has acted as an Election Observer in
America, France, Italy and Spain and is a member of the Electoral Commission’s ‘Electoral Advisory
Board’ and the Cabinet Office Elections Policy and Co-ordination Group.
Cost of Attendance
First delegate
AEA member
£314 (plus vat)
Non-member
£393 (plus vat)
Second and subsequent delegates from the same Authority*
AEA member
£128 (plus vat)
Non-member
£207 (plus vat)
Non members wishing to join the Association may download a membership application at www.aeaelections.co.uk
*If delegates from the same Authority wish to attend this course on different dates/at different venues
please indicate clearly on the booking form.
If you cannot attend a substitute may attend in your place, otherwise the following cancellation charges apply:

Less than two weeks before the event 100%.

Less than four weeks before the event 60%

More than four weeks before the event £20.
If for any reason within the control of the AEA, a course is cancelled a full refund or credit will be made.