Polling stations across all ten boroughs of Greater Manchester are open from 7am to 10pm today for the mayoral by-election. Residents can vote until 10pm to choose a new mayor after former mayor Andy Burnham vacated the role.
Why the by-election is happening
Andy Burnham left his position as mayor after winning the Makerfield parliamentary seat last month. He subsequently became Prime Minister, triggering a by-election for the Greater Manchester mayoralty.
Candidates and voting system
Seven candidates are standing: Sian Niamh Astley (Reform UK), Geraldine Coggins (Green Party), Bev Craig (Labour and Co-operative Party), Phil Eckersley (Conservative and Unionist Party), Marcus Jonathan Farmer (Independent), Richard Martin Kilpatrick (Liberal Democrats), and Marlon Scott West (Restore Britain).
The election uses supplementary voting, as in 2017 and 2021. Voters can select a first and second choice. If no candidate gets over 50% of first-choice votes, the top two candidates proceed to a second round where second-choice votes for them are added to their totals.
Counting and result
Vote counting will take place tomorrow, Friday 31 July.
