A referendum can be called by a number of different bodies, such as parliament or a local council.
In the past, referendums have been called to find out if the public wish to enter the European Community or to change the voting system.
Mayoral referendum
Every year in February, Chesterfield Borough Council has a duty under the Local Government Act 2000 to publish the minimum number of signatures required to support a valid petition to request a referendum on whether or not the borough should have an elected mayor.
The minimum number of signatures (equivalent to five per cent of the authority’s local government electorate) is 3929.
This number will apply to any petition submitted to Chesterfield Borough Council between until 31 March 2025.
From 1 April 2025
The minimum number of signatures (equivalent to five per cent of the authority’s local government electorate shown in the revised register of electors having effect on 15 February 2025) is 3948.
This number will apply to any petition submitted to Chesterfield Borough Council between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026.
| Publication of Verification Number as at February Register 2025 |  (PDF 77 KB) |