Bristol Mayor Referendum 2022: when will votes be counted and when will we get results?

Local elections are set to take place across the country this week, as voters rush out to polling stations to issue their ballots.

Votes like these are incredibly important for communities, giving residents the chance to make their voices heard regarding a number of local matters and issues.

However, not all local authorities across the country are holding an election - with one example being Bristol City Council.

But that does not mean Bristolians have nothing to vote on when the countrywide elections take place this week, as instead there will be a Bristol Mayor Referendum in 2022.

Residents will be asked this simple question: “How do you want Bristol City Council to be run?”.

The options detailed on each ballot sheet is the following:

• Continue with the current mayoral system headed by Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees.
• Change to a committee model of governance.

This vote is exceptionally important in shaping the future political system of the Bristol region.

The Bristol Mayor Referendum is the first public election since the Covid-19 pandemic.

Now as we get closer to judgement day, eyes will be drawn to the results of the vote. Here is everything you need to know about the results of the Bristol Mayor Referendum 2022.

When is the Bristol Mayor Referendum 2022?

The Bristol Mayor Referendum in 2022 is set to take place at the same exact time as the other local elections taking place throughout the United Kingdom.

Polls across Bristol are set to be open on Thursday, 5 May.

When are votes counted for the Bristol Mayor Referendum?

As soon as polling stations close at 10 pm, local authorities will then begin the process of counting the votes.

On average, the counting of ballots takes place throughout the night and during the next day.

BristolWorld reached out to Bristol City Council for further details about when residents should expect their ballots to be counted.

Bristol City Council could not give an exact time of when the votes would be counted, but issued a statement reading: “The counting of votes for the Bristol Mayor Referendum in 2022 will start in the evening of Thursday, 5 May.”

Who counts the results?

Traditionally during local votes, elections and referendums, votes are counted by recruited workers, volunteers or council staff.

Bristol City Council revealed to BristolWorld that there will be approximately 250 counting staff on-hand during the Bristol Mayor Referendum who have been recruited by electoral services.

Where will the results be counted?

The counting of the results for the Bristol Mayor Referendum in 2022 is set to take place at the Oasis Academy in Brislington.

Hungerford Road, Brislington, Bristol, BS4 5EY

When will the results be announced?

Polling stations are set to close by 10 pm on Thursday, 5 May.

The first batch of results countrywide are expected to come in at around midnight.

BristolWorld asked Bristol City Council when residents should expect to receive the declaration of the results for the Bristol Mayor Referendum, and the local authority issued the following statement:

“The time of the result is unknown because it depends on turnout,” it reads.

“But we expect to be finished by approximately 4 am in the morning of Friday, 6 May”.