{
  "id": 37248,
  "title": "Ballot paper for Clacton by-election is longest in British electoral history",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/02/ballot-paper-for-clacton-by-election-is-longest-in-british-electoral",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-02T04:49:31.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "BBC News",
    "slug": "bbc-news",
    "url": "https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clyem5lg78qo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A parliamentary by-election in Clacton, prompted by the resignation of Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, has produced the longest ballot paper in British electoral history. The 90cm (3ft) long paper costs four times as much to print compared to regular ballot papers, according to Tendring District Council chief executive Ian Davidson, who is the acting returning officer for the Essex constituency by-election. The lengthy paper has necessitated logistical challenges, such as double tables and batching for verification and counting. The previous record for candidates in a single House of Commons by-election was 19, set in the Haltemprice and Howden by-election in East Yorkshire in July 2008. This by-election also holds the record for the most independents, with 20 candidates vying for the seat. The ballot will be available for postal voting starting from 13 August.",
  "summary": "The list of 34 candidates standing in the Clacton by-election is nearly a metre long.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}