Joining the AEA

Thinking of becoming an AEA member? To get started, you can complete our online membership application form. But before submitting the form, it’s important you read our membership terms and conditions.

Our membership has grown steadily since our inception, and we currently have over 2,000 members from almost every local authority in England, Scotland and Wales, plus the Channel Islands and Isle of Man. Most local authorities have multiple members. Our Full Members come from every level of local government from junior officers with very little electoral experience to senior managers with extensive experience.

We offer six categories of membership:-

  • Full
  • Honorary
  • Past service (Please note you cannot apply for past service membership online. Full details on how to re-join as a past service member can be found in our membership terms and conditions)
  • Affiliate
  • Commercial
  • Apprenticeship

You can find full details about these categories in our membership terms and conditions.

IMPORTANT NOTE: We are not able to accept membership applications from people employed outside the UK. The services we provide to members are based on electoral practices and matters governed by UK law and therefore offer limited or no value to people employed outside the UK.

Subscription costs and membership period

Our current subscription is just £57.00 (including £9.50 VAT) for Full, Past Service, Commercial and Affiliate members. Membership is granted up to 30 September in the (membership) year an application is made, on payment of the subscription.

We have an early bird offer on new memberships for anyone joining between 1 August and 30 September. Whatever remains of the period up until 30 September is included free and membership will be granted until 30 September the following year.

Our Membership year runs from 1 October to 30 September. Membership will lapse on 30 September and need to be renewed from 1 October on payment of the fee current at that time. If a Member cancels their Membership at any time during the Membership year, no part of the fee paid is refundable. Should a person become a Member after 1 August in any year, their membership will not lapse until 30 September the following year.

Membership benefits

One of the great advantages of AEA membership is networking with other administrators nationwide. We offer numerous opportunities to connect with colleagues both locally and across the UK, as well as acting as a central point to share information, find answers to questions, attend training or study for a qualification.

Here are some of the many benefits an AEA membership offers:

  • Access to a members-only area of our website for full, apprentice and past service members. We update the site regularly with the latest news and information. Access to this area also includes:
    • our invaluable members’ forum to ask questions and share good practice
    • advice and updates from our meetings with the Electoral Commission, Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and other key stakeholders
    • member support pages containing our professionally produced guidance, template resources, FAQs, and member good practice.
  • Our weekly newsletter containing news, items of interest and details of the most important new information on our website. A link is emailed directly to every member and back copies are archived and available in the members’ area.
  • Our quarterly e-magazine, ‘Arena’, containing news, information and articles outlining our work at a national level on behalf of members, plus items from our members. Back copies of Arena are archived and available.
  • Access to your local national/regional branch where you can network with other members, be informed first-hand of AEA activities and receive updates from key stakeholders including the Electoral Commission and Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.
  • Reduced rates for our training courses including our Foundation Course via our member support fund.
  • Reduced rates for our Annual Conference and the chance to apply for a bursary to help you attend and advance your career.
  • The opportunity to study for our nationally recognised and unique qualifications
  • Access to a valuable network of UK-wide local authority electoral officials who can offer support and advice at a practical level, individually and through our branch network.
  • Access to our dedicated member support team to provide advice or answers to election or electoral registration queries you may have.
  • Access to 24-hour telephone advice and counselling service provided by the Hospital and Medical Care Association (HMCA)

Social media

We have active Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn accounts. Do follow us to make sure you keep fully up to date with the latest news and information. Don’t forget to tag or message us if there’s anything you’d like us to share. Find us on:

Some branches also run their own social media and your Branch Secretary give you any details.