Types of elections

Elections are a democratic process where citizens aged 18 and over elect political candidates to represent them and their interests locally or nationally.

All elections held within the city - local, general and mayoral elections - are organised by Salford City Council's elections office.

Local elections

An ordinary local government election is usually held on the first Thursday in May, the next election will be on Thursday 2 May 2024.

Salford City Council has 60 councillors, or elected members, who represent particular areas, known as electoral wards.

There are 20 wards in the city, and all have three councillors representing them. Each councillor serves for four years at a time and come up for election on a rota basis. This is because local elections are held in three out of every four years with one third of the 60 councillors retiring at each election.

To find out the details of all 60 councillors and the wards they represent, together with their retirement dates, you can view a list of councillors by name or councillors by elected ward.

The last local election was held on Thursday 4 May 2023.

Mayoral elections

A mayoral election has to take place every four years, on the first Thursday in May, the next election will be on Thursday 2 May 2024.

Salford City Council has one elected mayor who represents the entire city. All of Salford City Council's executive functions rest with the City Mayor. These include responsibility for education, children's social services, adult social services, health, housing, tourism and many more.

Find out more about the City Mayor and how to contact him.

The last mayoral election was held on Thursday 6 May 2021.

General (parliamentary) elections

A parliamentary general election has to take place within five years of the last general election.

One Member of Parliament (MP) is elected for each parliamentary constituency by way of majority. Each MP then serves in the House of Commons, representing his or her constituency.

Salford City Council has two parliamentary constituencies, Worsley and Eccles South and Salford and Eccles.

Please note: Kersal and Broughton wards come under the jurisdiction of Manchester City Council in Blackley and Broughton Borough Constituency. People in these two wards will vote for the Blackley and Broughton MP at general elections and not the Salford MP as in previous years. However, people in these two wards will still:

  • Vote to elect local councillors for Salford City Council
  • Pay their council tax to Salford City Council
  • Receive services from Salford City Council

To find out the details of the MPs and their contact details, you can view information on our UK Parliament page.

The last general election was held on Thursday 12 December 2019.

By-elections

A by-election, or casual vacancy, can occur due to the resignation or death of a councillor or member of parliament.

The last by-election for Salford City Council was held on Thursday 11 January 2024 in the Quays ward.

This page was last updated on 11 January 2024

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