Elections 2024: Key information as Greater Manchester residents head to the polls for council and mayoral vote

May 2024 is a key month for local politics across Greater Manchester, with two matters to be voted on in one day. May 2 is an all important polling day and thousands across the region will be able to make their voice heard. 

Local council seats on councils across the region will be decided. This includes 33 of 96 seats on Manchester City Council.  

A third of seats on several other Greater Manchester councils will also be contested on May 2. This includes councils in Bolton, Salford, Rochdale, Oldham, Tameside and Wigan. 

Also taking place on May 2 is a Mayor of Greater Manchester vote. Andy Burnham will be running for Labour and has held the position since 2017, with various other political parties having already announced their candidates. 

How to register to vote in May 2024 elections

If you are not registered to vote but are eligible, you still have time to do so before the elections. The deadline to register ahead of the May 2 elections is Tuesday April 16, and you can do so through the UK Government website. 

The deadline to apply for a postal vote in the upcoming elections is 5pm on Wednesday April 17. You can apply for a postal vote by visiting the UK government website. 

Do I need an ID to vote on May 2? 

Since 2023, it has been a national requirement to show photo ID when voting. A full list of acceptable types of photo ID can be found on the Electoral Commission website. 

What happens if I don’t have photo ID? 

If you don’t have photo ID, or if the ID you have no longer looks like you, then you can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate. You can also do this through the UK government website. 

Joanne Roney CBE, Returning Officer for Manchester, said: “With two sets of elections this year, we really don’t want anyone who wishes to have their democratic say to miss out because they don’t have the right photo ID, or have left it too late to register. 

Who are the candidates in the Greater Manchester Mayoral Election?

So far, six candidates have been announced to be running in the mayoral election on May 2, including incumbent Andy Burnham. The deadline to apply to be a candidate is Friday April 5 and the full list of candidates announced so far is below:

• Jake Austin- Liberal Democrats
• Dan Barker- Reform UK
• Nick Buckley- Independent
• Andy Burnham- Labour Party
• Laura Evans- Conservative Party
• Hannah Spencer- Green Party