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Types of Election
Elections can occur for a variety of reasons – i.e. through the resignation, disqualification or death of a Councillor, or the periodic election of the whole Council.
The following shows an overview of the type and timing of elections that occur:
| Types of Election | Representative Structure | Name of elected persons | Frequency of Elections |
| Parliamentary | 1 Constituency - North Norfolk | 1 Member of Parliament | Every 5 years or less (last held 2017) |
| European | 1 Constituency - Eastern Region | 7 MEPs (elected proportional representation) | Every 5 years or less (last held 2014) |
| Norfolk County Council | 11 electoral divisions (North Norfolk) | 11 County Councillors | Every 4 years (last held 2017) |
| North Norfolk District Council | 34 Wards | 48 District Councillors | Every 4 years (last held 2015) |
| Town and Parish Councils | *119 Parish Councils | 978 Town/Parish Councillors | Every 4 years (last held 2015) |
*Some Town and Parish Councils are divided into two wards and separate elections are held for Councillors representing each of the Wards associated with a particular Town or Parish Council.
It is your right to vote and it is the way you can influence the decisions made by Government at all levels. Find out here when and where you can make your vote count.
Parliamentary Elections
UK Parliament
The Government issues detailed guidance notes on the conduct of parliamentary elections. They are held on a date decided by the Prime Minister, which must be within five years of the last general election.
The district council runs the elections for the North Norfolk parliamentary constituency and the next planned election will take place in 2020, the last ones being held on Thursday 7 May 2015.
By-elections are held when a sitting MP dies, resigns or ceases to be qualified to serve.
European Parliament
The district council also runs the European Parliamentary election for the North Norfolk District within the Eastern Region European Parliamentary Constituency, one of nine electoral regions in England. European Parliamentary elections are held every five years on a date fixed by the European Parliament.
Members serve for the full five-year term of office.
The next election will take place in 2019, the last ones being held on 22 May 2014.
These elections are covered by the same legislation as our own elections, but amended by the European Parliamentary Regulations 1986 and European Parliamentary Elections Act 1999.
Local elections
Norfolk County Council
The County Council has 84 councillors elected from across the county to make decisions about county-wide services and they are elected every four years. The next planned election will take place on the 4th May 2017, the last one being held on Thursday 2 May 2013.
North Norfolk District Council
There are 48 district councillors and they are elected every four years.
The date of ordinary election is usually the first Thursday in May, unless the Secretary of State orders otherwise.
The next planned election will take place in May 2019, the last one being held on Thursday 7 May 2015.
Parish councils
Parish and town council elections are held every four years. However, casual vacancies can arise at any time between ordinary elections. If the vacancy comes up six months or less before the date of ordinary elections, the vacancy may be left unfilled.
There are 122 parishes in North Norfolk. Some are joint parish councils with two or more parishes. Some parish and town councils are divided into wards. The number of parish councillors varies in accordance with a scheme prepared by North Norfolk District Council. Each councillor serves for a four-year term of office.
The next planned election will take place in May 2019, the last one being held on Thursday 7 May 2015.
Parish Polls
A Parish Poll may be demanded before the end of a parish meeting on any question arising at the meeting.
The rules for the conduct of the poll are similar to those of elections, with some variations or exceptions.
The outcome of the poll is no more and no less than an expression of the views of the electorate of the parish who have voted at the poll. It is not binding.
Please view the guide to parish polls and parish meetings for more information.