Future elections in Bristol

European Parliamentary Elections

Likely to be be held in the UK on Thursday May 22, 2014.

See the About my vote website for more information.

UK Parliamentary Elections

Scheduled for May 7, 2015.

See the About my vote website for more information.

Future elections : Local councillors election cycle

Bristol City Council has 70 councillors representing 35 wards.  Each ward is represented by two councillors, and each councillor is elected for a four-year term of office.

See Councillors for more information.

View map of wards.

Current system for electing councillors

Currently the council holds ‘elections by thirds’ which means that elections are held for 23 or 24 seats each year for three successive years out of four. See City of Bristol Electoral arrangements (pdf, 7 KB) (opens new window).

As each ward has two councillors, voters go the polls twice over a four year period to elect each one of the councillors for their ward.

This system will continue for the May 2, 2013 local elections, and the local elections in 2014 and 2015.

Future system from 2016

At the Full Council meeting on March 5, 2013, it was resolved that Bristol City Council change the cycle for electing councillors from elections by thirds to whole council elections, to begin in 2016.

View the webcast of the Full Council meeting.

Full Council made this decision for the following reasons:

• The results from whole council elections are simpler and more easily understood by the electorate. This may increase turnout at local elections.
• There will be significant financial savings possibly in excess of £1m over 10 years.
• Whole council elections are more compatible with having a directly elected mayor for the city, as mayors are also elected on a four yearly cycle.
• A clear mandate from the electorate once every four years could enable the council to adopt a more strategic, long-term approach to policy and decision making - and focus less on yearly election campaigning.
• There will be a clearer opportunity for the electorate to change the political composition of the council once every four years, and could increase voter turnout.  
• There may be years with no elections, and this would be less disruptive for public buildings used as polling stations, for example schools.

In 2016 there will be elections for:

• all councillors
• the elected Mayor and
• Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner.

Once a particular year is selected for whole council elections to begin then they must be held every four years afterwards – 2016 followed by 2020 followed by 2024.

It is not possible to have an initial term of three years from 2013 followed by a term of office of four years from 2016 to match whole council elections with elections for the Bristol elected Mayor.