Elections Act 2022
2022 Act that had moved English mayoral elections to First past the post before its reversal in 2026.
On 30 July, Greater Manchester used the transfer system restored after the Elections Act 2022 had moved English mayoral elections to First past the post.
Last refreshed: 7 October 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
What voting system did the Elections Act 2022 replace, and why was it reversed?
Timeline for Elections Act 2022
Mentioned in: Peers table 160 changes to voting Bill
UK Local Elections 2026Mentioned in: Electoral Commission to review spend caps
UK Local Elections 2026Craig wins Manchester in its first second round
UK Local Elections 2026How English mayors got the transfer vote back
UK Local Elections 2026Background
The Elections Act 2022 is UK legislation that changed the voting system for English mayoral and Police and Crime Commissioner elections. It replaced the Supplementary Vote with First past the post, under which the candidate with the largest first-preference total wins.
The change mattered because the Supplementary Vote could require a second count when no candidate had sufficient first-preference support. The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act restored that system from 18 June 2026.
From 2022 to June 2026, every English mayoral and police commissioner contest was won on the largest single share of first preferences, with no transfers. Greater Manchester's mayoral by-election of 30 July 2026 was the first big test of the restored system.
The transfer vote returns
On 30 July, Greater Manchester's mayoral by-election became the first count in that mayoralty sent to a second round, under the Supplementary Vote that the Elections Act 2022 had abolished. Bev Craig beat Reform UK's Sian Astley, her share rising from 47.1% on first preferences to 66.3% after transfers, on a turnout of 25.1%.
The 2022 Act's First past the post rule had been undone by the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026, which received Royal Assent on 29 April and restored second preferences for mayoral and police commissioner contests from 18 June.
Reference
What did the Elections Act 2022 do to mayoral elections?
What replaced the Elections Act 2022's system for electing mayors?
Is the Elections Act 2022's voting system still used for mayors?
Written with AI from Lowdown's published reporting. Not individually reviewed by an editor. Updated 7 October 2026. Editorial standards.