The election for a new mayor of Greater Manchester takes place tomorrow (Thursday 30 July).

This time it will be a little different from previous elections, with a new supplementary voting system which means you can vote for a first and second choice candidate.

Supplementary voting

Previous elections just used first past the post, where the candidate with the most votes wins.

The supplementary vote, by contrast, is designed to favour candidates with a wider support base.

Voters will be presented with a ballot paper with a column A and a column B. They mark their first choice in column A, and their second in B.

Under supplementary voting, if a candidate gets more than 50 percent of first choice votes, they win automatically.

If not, the two highest-scoring candidates are placed into a run-off.

If your first-choice candidate gets through, your vote is counted for them in the run-off - if they didn't but your second choice did, your vote goes to them.

Polling stations and voting

Polling stations will be open from 7am-10pm throughout the day.

You can find your nearest polling station on the dedicated Stockport Council webpage here.

Remember to bring an accepted form of photo ID when you vote.

This could be a passport, driving licence, or some types of bus pass or proof of age card.

It can be out of date - so long as the picture on the ID still looks like you.

What does the GM Mayor do?

The Mayor of Greater Manchester represents the city region at a local and national level.

They are the head of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority - that is to say, the local government body comprising the leaders of all 10 Greater Manchester Councils (including Stockport).

The Mayor has control over issues such as transport, infrastructure, planning and housing, and emergency services (they set the budget and priorities for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service).

They can also create Mayoral Development Corporations to lead regeneration in specific areas - Stockport already has one of these.

The Mayor also works with businesses to promote economic growth, and they oversee budgets devolved from central Government, including a £630 million integrated settlement.

Who is standing?

The candidates who are standing for election in the 2026 Greater Manchester Mayoral Election are:

• Sian Astley (Reform UK)
• Geraldine Coggins (The Green Party)
• Bev Craig (Labour and Co-operative Party)
• Phil Eckersley (The Conservative Party)
• Marcus Farmer (Independent)
• Richard Kilpatrick (Liberal Democrats)
• Marlon West (Restore Britain)

When do the results come in?

Once the polling stations close at 10pm, votes will be taken to be counted overnight, through the early hours of Friday 31 July.

Each of Greater Manchester's 10 districts has a returning officer who makes sure the count is accurate and verified.

The results will be announced on Friday 31 July.

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