Voters will soon decide the next Mayor of South Yorkshire, with the polls opening on Thursday 2nd May 2024.
People in Doncaster, Barnsley, Rotherham and Sheffield will vote for the next mayor with the successful candidate working with the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (MCA).
The Mayor will work together with the MCA to make decisions which includes overseeing funding which is used to help grow the economy, boost skills, support our public transport network, create jobs and develop new infrastructure and homes.
The decisions made affect the 1.4 million people living in South Yorkshire.
It’s important that everyone makes their vote count and has their say on who should be elected as the next Mayor of South Yorkshire.
What does the Mayor do?
The Mayor acts to promote South Yorkshire as a place to live, work, visit and invest and is elected to represent the 1.4 million residents in the region.
The South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority Board is chaired by the Mayor of South Yorkshire and is made up of the council leaders from Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield.
Powers and funding are used by the MCA and the Mayor to help up-skill the workforce, grow the economy, create jobs, support the public transport network, up-skill the workforce and develop new homes and infrastructure across the region.
Many decisions are made by the MCA and Mayor together, but the Mayor can make some decisions independently.
Police and Crime Commissioner Functions
From May 2024 the elected Mayor will take on the functions of the Police and Crime Commissioner and be able to appoint a Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime.
The role includes listening to the needs of communities, securing victim support services, holding the Chief Constable to account and setting police and crime priorities.
When and how do I vote
The polls will be open between 7am and 10pm on Thursday 2 May.
If you’ve received your polling card, you’re registered to vote. If you haven’t registered to vote you have until 11.59pm on Tuesday 16 April to do so.
You can register by contacting your local council electoral office or going online at gov.uk/register-to-vote.
Eligible voters can vote in person at their local polling station, can submit a postal vote early, or nominate a proxy to vote on their behalf. The deadline for applying for a postal vote is 5pm on 17 April, and for proxy votes by 5pm on 24 April.
You will need photo ID to vote at your polling station – you can check what is required, or apply for a free voter ID, at electoralcommission.org.uk or by contacting your local Council Electoral Office. Full details will also be on your polling card.
The results of the election will be announced on Saturday 4 May.
For more information about the South Yorkshire Mayoral Election, please visit the website here or call 0808 178 6767.