A picture showing the date of the Mayoral election in Greater Manchester as May 2
Greater Manchester Combined Authority The Mayor

Check your voter ID and make sure your voice is heard!


With just two weeks to go until polling day, voters across Greater Manchester are being urged to check they have a valid form of voter ID to avoid being turned away at the polling station.

Valid voter ID includes passports, driving licences, many types of bus pass or proof of age cards. They can be out of date as long as they still look like you. Voters should check they have at least one form of ID on the list of valid voter ID and if not, apply for a Voter Authority Certificate (opens link in new window)

There’s still time to apply for this free voter ID and ensure your voice is heard in the elections taking place across the region on Thursday 2 May. The deadline to apply is 5pm on Wednesday 24 April.

The deadline to apply for a Postal Vote has now closed.

If voters are unable to attend their polling station on Thursday 2 May, there is still time to appoint a proxy to vote on their behalf. If a registered voter knows they will not be able to get to a polling station on polling day, they can ask another registered voter that they trust, referred to as a proxy, to cast their vote for them.

A proxy must be registered and eligible to vote in these elections, as well as able to vote in person at the elector’s assigned polling station. They must provide a valid form of Voter ID.

Proxy vote application forms must be submitted to local Electoral Registration Offices by 5pm on Wednesday 24 April. Forms can be found online at www.gov.uk/government/collections/proxy-voting-application-forms (opens link in new window).

Eamonn Boylan, Combined Authority Returning Officer for the GMCA Mayoral Election, said:

“In-person voters will need to show a valid form of photo ID to vote at their polling station. It doesn’t need to be in date, but it should be an original document and the photo must still look like you. I’d urge residents to check the list of valid Voter ID and apply for a Voter Authority Certificate if they are unsure.”

This year residents across Greater Manchester will be voting in up to three elections, for:

  • The Mayor for Greater Manchester Combined Authority. The Mayor is a major figure in the political life of the city-region, with unique powers and responsibilities. This includes setting budgets and priorities for Greater Manchester’s public services including transport, housing and planning, the fire and rescue service, Police and Crime Commissioner responsibilities, and acting as an ambassador for the city-region.
  • Councillors. Councillors are elected to represent their local area and residents, and contribute to the development of local policies in areas such as social care, housing, planning, highways, and education.
  • The Salford City Mayor. Residents in Salford will elect the City Mayor, who is Salford’s political, strategic and community leader and has overall responsibility for the delivery of all council services.

A total of six candidates are standing in the third election for the Mayor for Greater Manchester Combined Authority. Previous elections were held in 2021 and 2017.

The full list of candidates, official notices, and other information can be found at www.gmelects.org.uk.

The six candidates standing in the election for the Mayor for Greater Manchester Combined Authority, appearing on ballot papers in alphabetical order by surname, are:

  • AUSTIN, Jake (Liberal Democrats)
  • BARKER, Dan (Reform UK)
  • BUCKLEY, Nick (Independent)
  • BURNHAM, Andy (Labour and Co-operative Party)
  • EVANS, Laura (The Conservative Party Candidate)
  • SPENCER, Hannah Kathrine (Green Party).

Some residents may have already received a copy of the election booklet for the GMCA Mayoral Election. By law the booklet must be distributed to every elector in Greater Manchester. The booklet will explain more about the election and includes addresses prepared by the candidates.

More information about the GMCA Mayoral election, and a copy of the booklet, can be found at www.gmelects.org.uk (opens link in new window).

Follow updates about the Greater Manchester Mayoral election on:

Twitter: @GMElects (opens link in new window)

Facebook: www.facebook.com/gmelects (opens link in new window)​

Follow updates about local elections on your local council’s social media accounts and website. A list of all the websites is available here (opens link in new window).

Key dates:

  • - Deadline to register to vote: midnight on Tuesday 16 April 2024
  • - Deadline to apply for a postal vote: 5pm on Wednesday 17 April 2024
  • - Deadline to apply for free voter ID: 5pm on Wednesday 24 April 2024
  • - Deadline to apply for a proxy vote: 5pm on Wednesday 24 April 2024
  • - Polling day: 7am – 10pm on Thursday 2 May 2024

Article Published: 17/04/2024 15:29 PM