News / Bristol
Metro mayor election day
Political history is being made as polling booths open across Bristol for the election of the inaugural West of England metro mayor.
The six candidates vying for the role with new, devolved spending powers over transport, education and housing have been battling it out for months and now it’s all down to the voters to make their choice.
The metro mayor election will be decided by a supplementary voting system, whereby all eligible voters will be asked to select a first choice candidate and then, if they wish, a second preferred option.
is needed now More than ever
If one candidate receives more than 50 per cent of the overall vote, they will be elected mayor, but if no single person gains more than half, the two candidates with the most first choice votes will remain in the running while everyone else is eliminated.
All ballot papers are then checked and any second choice votes for the two remaining candidates are added to their first round totals. The candidate with the most overall nominations wins.
Traditionally of course, this would be a time when the city would be in a frenzy of local council election excitement but, as of last year, the system in Bristol changed from ‘elections by thirds’ to whole council elections.
If you missed the boat in the metro mayor race and political apathy has not firmly taken hold, then fear not, there is still time to register to vote in the upcoming General Elections before the cut-off date of May 22.
Anyone who is eligible to vote and not currently registered can register online.
Each candidate has put forward their vision for the region at Bristol24/7’s hustings and we will keep you up to date with the latest news and results.
Read more: Metro mayor race: the final leg
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