The different types of elections, when they're happening and election results for Bristol.
Everyone in the Bristol City Council area is represented by:
- one, two or three councillors depending on the size of the ward they live in
- the Mayor of Bristol City
- the Combined Authority (WECA) mayor
- the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Avon and Somerset
- a Member of Parliament (MP)
- six Members of the European Parliament (MEPs)
Find out what elections you're eligible to vote in.
Dates of elections
Types |
Last election | Next scheduled election |
Local elections | 6 May 2021 | 2 May 2024 |
Mayor of Bristol | 6 May 2021 | No further elections |
PCC election | 6 May 2021 | 2 May 2024 |
WECA mayor | 6 May 2021 | 1 May 2025 |
General election | 12 December 2019 | To be confirmed |
Types of elections
Local elections
They're held once every four years on the first Thursday of May using the first past the post system. Most of the wards within Bristol are multi-member wards.
There could also be an election known as a by-election in a specific area if a councillor needs to be replaced.
What they are
In a local election you're voting to elect councillors of Bristol who will represent your views for the wards, or area, where you live.
There are:
- 34 electoral wards in Bristol
- 70 elected councillors
Find your ward and councillor.
Local election results
You can see:
- results for the May 2021 local councillors elections
- the turnout and results from the 2016 Local Elections
Mayor of Bristol election
Mayoral elections are held every four years on the first Thursday of May using the supplementary voting system.
Marvin Rees is the elected Mayor of Bristol.
Mayoral election results
You can view the:
- Bristol Mayoral Election results for May 2021.
- Bristol Mayoral Election results and turnout for 2016 and 2012
- Webcast of the Bristol Mayoral Election Results 2016 on the Council's YouTube channel
West of England Combined Authority Mayor election
The West of England Combined Authority Go to https://www.westofengland-ca.gov.uk/ (opens new window) (WECA) was established in February 2017.
The WECA is led by the elected WECA Mayor (sometimes referred to as the Metro Mayor). Elections for the WECA Mayor are held every four years on the first Thursday of May.
Dan Norris (Labour Party) was elected as the new West of England Combined Authority Mayor on Saturday 8 May.
Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Avon and Somerset election
Police and Crime Commissioner elections are held every four years on the first Thursday of May using the supplementary voting system
See the results of the 2021 PCC election on the Policing Insight website Go to https://policinginsight.com/uk-pcc-elections-2021/pcc-election-2021-avon-and-somerset/ (opens new window).
Mark Grosvenor McNeill Shelford (Conservative Party) was elected as Police and Crime Commissioner of the Avon and Somerset Police area on Friday 7 May 2021.
Find out about the role of the PCC on the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners website Go to http://www.apccs.police.uk/role-of-the-pcc/ (opens new window).
UK Parliamentary (General) elections
A UK Parliamentary General Election was held in Bristol on Thursday 12 December 2019.
What it is
In general elections, you elect somebody to represent you in Parliament, as a Member of Parliament (MP), in a parliamentary constituency.
Bristol City Council area has four consistencies:
- Bristol East
- Bristol North West
- Bristol South
- Bristol West
See the MPs details for Bristol constituencies.
Visit the UK parliament website for information about the role of MPs Go to https://www.parliament.uk/about/mps-and-lords/members/mps/ (opens new window) and the work of parliament.
Past General Election results
You can see the:
- 2017 General Election results
- 2015, 2010 and 2005 General Election results on the Electoral Commission website Go to http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/find-information-by-subject/elections-and-referendums/past-elections-and-referendums/uk-general-elections/2015-uk-general-election-results (opens new window)
European Parliamentary elections
What it is
In European Parliamentary Elections, you voted to elect somebody to represent you in the European Parliament as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP).
There were 12 European electoral regions in the UK. Each region had between three and 10 MEPs. Bristol is in the South West region and has six MEPs.
From 31 January the UK doesn't have any MEPs following its departure from the European Union.
Past European Parliamentary election results
You can find details about MEPs, as well as information about their roles and the role of the European Parliament, on the europarl.org.uk website.
You can view the:
- 2019 European Parliamentary Election results on the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole council website Go to https://www.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/Council-and-Democratic/Elections-and-voting/Elections/European-Parliamentary-Election-Results-2019/Results-of-European-Parliamentary-Election-2019.aspx (opens new window)
- pdf 2019 European Parliamentary Election results verification statement (391 KB)
Referendums
A referendum is a vote by the electorate on a single question.
Past referendum results
You can see:
- the South West EU referendum results
- Mayoral Referendum results 2012
- pdf Old Market Quarter referendum 25 February 2016 (18 KB)
- South West EU Referendum results 23 June 2016
Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) ballots
Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) are partnerships set up to improve particular commercial areas.
Businesses in the area can take part in a ballot to choose whether to pay a percentage of their rateable value on top of their business rates to fund projects which benefit local businesses.
For information, results of BID votes and notices of BID ballots for current or recent BIDs visit our business improvement districts page.
Bedminster BID ballot
The ballot for the Bedminster Business Improvement District was held on 14 September 2023.
The ballot was conducted by post by the Independent Scrutineer, Civica Election Services of 33 Clarendon Road, London N8 0NW.
pdf Notice of Ballot: Bedminster BID (90 KB)
Results of the ballot
The proposal to establish a Business Improvement District for Bedminster has not been approved.
See the result of the ballot: pdf Bedminster BID Ballot 2023 Declaration (175 KB)
A majority of the Business ratepayers in the proposed BID area who voted, voted against the proposal, both by aggregate rateable value and numbers voting.
The proposed Bedminster BID term for 2023-2028 will not proceed.
For more information about the BID:
- visit the Bedminster BID website
- email business@bedminster.org.uk
- call 07429 268673
If you have any questions about the BID ballot, email electoral.services@bristol.gov.uk
See the Business Improvement Districts page for more information.
Broadmead BID ballot
The ballot for Broadmead Business Improvement District was held on 28 September 2023.
The ballot was conducted by post by the Independent Scrutineer, Civica Election Services of 33 Clarendon Road, London N8 0NW.
The proposal to establish a Business Improvement District for Broadmead is approved.
A majority of the business ratepayers in the proposed BID area who voted, voted in favour of the proposal, both by aggregate rateable value and numbers voting.
If you have any questions about the BID ballot, email electoral.services@bristol.gov.uk
For more information about the BID:
- visit the Broadmead BID website
- email viv@broadmeadbid.co.uk
- call 0784 222 9603
For more information, see the Business Improvement Districts page.