Londoners are set to go to the polls on May 2 to elect their mayor and London Assembly Members. This will be for the first time since Sadiq Khan was returned for a second term as the city’s leader in 2021.
The vote was due to take place in 2020 but was postponed due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Now, Mr Khan faces voters again as he aims to be elected for a third term, which would make him the longest serving Mayor of London ever.
He only has two predecessors, Ken Livingstone and Boris Johnson, both of whom were elected to the position twice. Also being chosen are the city’s London Assembly Members.
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The body is made up of 25 members who represent different parts of the capital. Their job is to run committees and hold the mayor to account.
How may votes will Londoners cast?
On election day, two votes are cast by each person – one for the mayor and the other for the London Assembly. Voters can put a cross in the box of two members of the Assembly – one to represent their local constituency and one for the city overall. This is the same as previous elections.
But the voting system used to select the capital’s mayor has changed since 2021. Previously, electors would list a first and second preference candidate.
However, on May 2, a new first past the post system means people can only vote for one candidate. Whichever has the most votes after they have been counted will be declared the winner.
List of candidates
Here is a list of all those standing for mayor:
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Shyam Batra, independent
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Count Binface, independent
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Rob Blackie, Liberal Democrats
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Natalie Campbell, independent
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Howard Cox, Reform UK
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Amy Gallagher, SDP
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Zoe Garbett, Green Party
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Tarun Ghulati, independent
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Susan Hall, Conservative
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Sadiq Khan, Labour
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Andreas Michli, independent
How to vote
Those who want to cast a ballot will need to register before Tuesday, April 16. Anyone over the age of 16 can do so online here.
Once on the electoral register, voters have a few options as to how they can vote. To vote in person, electors go along to their nearest polling station. Find your local voting place here.
Alternatively, if you wish to submit a postal vote, you need to do so by 5pm on April 17. Otherwise, a proxy vote, which means someone else can vote on your behalf, must be applied for by the same time on April 24.
A voter can choose to cast their ballot by proxy for a variety of reasons, such as being away on polling day or being registered as a voter overseas. It is advisable to make sure you choose a proxy who you trust to vote for you.
New voter ID rule
Voters will need to bring extra documentation with them to their polling station on May 2 as they seek to cast their ballot. A form of photo ID to prove your identity needs to be shown.
This means that some Londoners may be turned away if they do not make the appropriate preparations. Below is a full list of acceptable forms of ID, according to the Electoral Commission.
International travel
- Passport issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, a British Overseas Territory, an EEA state or a Commonwealth country (including an Irish Passport Card)
Driving and Parking
- Driving licence issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or an EEA state (this includes a provisional driving licence)
- A Blue Badge
Local travel
- Older Person’s Bus Pass funded by the UK Government
- Disabled Person’s Bus Pass funded by the UK Government
- Oyster 60+ Card funded by the funded by the UK Government
- Freedom Pass
- Scottish National Entitlement Card issued for the purpose of concessionary travel (including a 60+, disabled or under 22s bus pass)
- 60 and Over Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
- Disabled Person’s Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
- Senior SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
- Registered Blind SmartPass or Blind Person’s SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
- War Disablement SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
- 60+ SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
- Half Fare SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
Proof of age
- Identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (a PASS card)
Other government issued documents
When will we know the winners?
The checking of ballot papers will take place on Friday, May 3, and votes will be tallied up on Saturday, May 4. The results will be announced at City Hall on the same date.
It’s a big year for London politics with residents going to the ballot box to vote for a mayor, as well as local representatives at the London Assembly.
MyLondon will be bringing you the latest news, analysis, exclusives and many more insights so you’re fully informed. We will also share other political news.
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