What is the Bristol Mayoral Election?
What is the role of the mayor?
Mayors are responsible for the day-to-day management of local services, these services include major policy decision-making, forming a cabinet and making executive decisions within the budget.
Remember, the Mayor of Bristol is different from the Mayor of the West of England Combined Authority which covers Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol and South Gloucestershire. You can find our more about them here.
Why is voting important?
The mayoral elections are a good way in exercising democracy. The city council has many significant powers when it comes to legislation affecting Bristol, from climate crisis action, to introducing the Bristol Pound. The council also has responsibility of Bristol public transport.
Who can vote in the elections?
To vote in the elections you must be over the age of 18 and be registered to vote. EU citizens living in Bristol are also eligible to vote in Mayoral Elections.
How does the vote work?
The Mayoral Elections use a Supplementary Vote, this means that on polling day, you have to mark your favourite and if you want, your second favourite candidate on the ballot.
It is counted by counting all of the first-choice votes, and if no candidate wins 50% of the vote, then all of the second-choice votes are taken into account for the top two candidates.
For more information about the Supplementary Vote, follow this link to the electoral reform society.
