Voters in Tameside urged to have their say in local and Mayoral elections

On Thursday 2 May residents in Tameside will have their say in the local elections and also the Greater Manchester mayoral elections.

The formal Notice of Election for the Local Election and Greater Manchester Combined Authority Mayoral Election and the Local Election has been published today (Tuesday 26 March), marking the pre-election period in the run up to polling day.

Polling stations will be open between 7am and 10pm on Thursday 2 May. The local election count in Tameside will take place overnight in Dukinfield Town Hall. The count for the mayoral election will take place across the city-region on Saturday 4 May, with the result due to be declared on Saturday afternoon.

In order to vote in these elections and have their say on who makes important decisions affecting them, residents must be on the electoral register and, if they will be voting in a polling station, have a valid form of Voter ID.  

Tameside Council Returning Officer Sandra Stewart said: “The elections taking place in Tameside are an important opportunity for residents to have their say on who makes decisions that affect them, in the places where they live.

“If residents haven’t already registered to vote, I would urge them to do so before the deadline of 16 April. If you’ve recently moved house, you will need to register at your new address, as being registered for other council services, such as council tax, does not mean you are automatically registered to vote.” 

The deadline to register to vote is midnight on Tuesday 16 April. With the deadline fast approaching, residents not already registered at their current address are urged to make sure they are registered in time. It takes just five minutes to register to vote online.

There are different ways to vote in the elections: at the local polling station, by post or by proxy (appointing someone to vote on your behalf). The deadline to apply for a postal vote in these elections is 5pm on Wednesday 17 April 2024. The deadline for applying for a proxy vote is 5pm Wednesday 24 April 2024.  For further information, or to make an application for a postal or a proxy vote, see https://www.gov.uk/vote-uk-election

Residents will also need to show a valid form of Voter ID if they are voting at their polling station. Valid photographic ID includes a passport, driving licence, and some types of bus pass or proof of age card. It can be out of date as long as the picture still looks like you. It must be the original version and not a photocopy. Voters should check they have at least one form of Photo ID on this list and if not, apply for a Voter Authority Certificate.  The deadline to apply for free voter ID is 5pm on Wednesday 24 April.

For further details of GM Mayoral Election see GM Elects

This year, residents in Tameside will be voting in elections for:

• 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 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. 

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 for to apply for free photo ID: 5pm on Wednesday 24 April 2024  
• Deadline for to apply for a proxy vote: 5pm Wednesday 24 April 2024 
• Polling day 7am to 10pm: Thursday 2 May 2024  

ENDS