The official countdown has begun to Manchester City Council local elections on Thursday 7 May 2026.
32 of the Council’s 96 sets are up for election – one in each of the city’s wards.
Electors are being reminded what they need to do to have their say in the forthcoming vote.
To be able to vote, you must be on the electoral register. If you are not already registered, you can apply at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote The deadline for registration applications is midnight on Monday 20 April.
Anyone wanting to vote by post can apply online for a postal vote by visiting www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote as long as they are already on the electoral register.
The deadline to apply for a postal vote is 5pm on Tuesday 21 April.
Voters are being reminded that they have to show accepted photo ID to vote at a polling station.
If you don’t have any of the forms of accepted photo ID – or if the photo on your ID doesn’t look like you any more - you can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate at www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate
The deadline to apply for this, in order to be able to use it in the 7 May local elections, is 5pm on Tuesday 28 April.
Tom Stannard, Returning Officer for Manchester, said: “The local elections are an important chance for electors to decide who represents their area. We don’t want anyone who wishes to have to their democratic say to miss out. There are simple steps people can take now to make sure they don’t.”
- Counting for the Manchester City Council elections, and the declarations of results, will take place on Friday 8 May.
Note to Editors
For a full list of accepted voter ID visit Accepted forms of photo ID | Electoral Commission