Voters must bring photo ID & first-past-the-post will elect London Mayor

On Thursday 2 May 2024 – more than six million registered Londoners go to the polls to elect a new Mayor of London and 25 London Assembly Members.[1]

For the first time, voters will need to show photographic ID at polling stations in order to vote.

In this election, the first-past-the-post voting system has been introduced to elect a Mayor of London, which will see voters cast a single vote for a candidate rather than a first and second choice, as has been the case in previous Mayoral elections.

For London-wide Assembly Members, voters should mark one cross in the box next to the party or candidate they wish to vote for.  

For London Assembly Constituency candidates, who voters would like to represent their local area, voters can cast one vote for a candidate.

Illustrations of the layout of the three different ballot papers are available on the London Elects website.

How to vote

• In this election, there are three ballot papers and three votes.
• Two votes for the Assembly elections and a single vote for the Mayoral election.

Deadlines and voting options

• You can also vote by proxy. This is when a person you trust votes for your chosen candidates on your behalf if you are unable to make it to the polling station. If you want a proxy vote, your council must receive your application by 5pm on 24 April 2024. The deadline to apply for a proxy vote as a result of an emergency is 5pm, Thursday 2 May 2024.
• You should have received your polling card by now. This will include details of your named polling station.
• Your polling station will be open from 7am until 10pm on election day.

Greater London Returning Officer (GLRO), Mary Harpley said:
“We want to ensure that voters are crystal clear on how to cast their votes. In this election, there are three ballot papers and three votes. Two votes for the London Assembly elections and a single vote for the Mayor of London election.

"You’ll find a simple guide on how to vote, along with a list of the candidates on our website LondonElects.org.uk.  

"As polling day draws ever closer, it’s up to Londoners to decide who governs their great city for the next four years. Make sure you put 2 May in your diary – it’s a big day for London. Remember the date and make sure you vote."

The election itself will see 3,600+ polling stations set up across London on 2 May. The stations will be staffed by more than 12,000 people between 7am and 10pm. Thousands of staff will then be on hand to help with the verification and count and 3 & 4 May.  

For more information, please contact the London Elects media office.

London Elects Head of Media:
Alison Bell - 07887 832 918 – City Hall
[email protected]
[email protected]
www.londonelects.org.uk

Follow us:
Twitter/X: @londonElects
Facebook: @LondonElects
Instagram: @LondonElects
Threads: @LondonElects

Notes to editors

1. This unique form of local government represents the interests of London and Londoners. London has one Mayor and 25 Assembly Members. The Mayor of London is responsible for running the city, from policing and housing to environment and transport. The Assembly keeps a check on the Mayor’s work and investigates issues that matter to Londoners.
2. As of 1 March 2024, there were 6,048,710 registered voters in Greater London.
3. Link to the forms of acceptable photo-ID
4. How to complete the ballot papers
5. To find out more, visit londonelects.org.uk
6. Link to 2021 results