Following the recent Barton and Winton By-Election results, one of the things we could not help but notice across our social media platforms was the amount of people claiming to have been apparently unaware that there was a separate election taking place from the upcoming local elections or that they understood that polling day was to be held on the Thursday rather the Wednesday. The council gave notice and sufficiently advertised the elections as did local news sources, so we are not sure where the confusion came from. With that in mind, residents are being encouraged to take part in the upcoming local elections, with polling day now just weeks away.

Voters across all 20 wards will head to the polls on Thursday 7 May, with *one councillor due to be elected in each area as part of the city’s rolling election cycle. The results will help shape decisions on key local issues including housing, transport, education and social care.

The elections follow the recent Barton and Winton by-election, which saw turnout fall to just 17.82% — meaning that rather shockingly fewer than one in five eligible voters took part. The figure has underlined ongoing concerns about engagement in local democracy across Salford. Voting affects how the council is led and ran and your individual vote counts. As a city we can not allow apathy and disconnect to dictate results. Democracy should be representative of the majority and not just a tiny minority who go out to vote.

Polling stations will be open from 7am until 10pm on election day, based in familiar venues such as schools, community centres and libraries across the city.

Residents must attend their assigned polling station, which is listed on their poll card.

Those unsure where to go can check their location using Salford City Council’s online postcode checker: https://www.salford.gov.uk/your-council/elections-and-voting/where-is-my-polling-station/

Those who applied to vote by post should now have received their postal ballot packs, and are being advised to return them as soon as possible to ensure their vote is counted.

Voters attending in person are also reminded that valid photo ID is required under current electoral rules.

*In Cadishead and Lower Irlam, the election will differ slightly from other wards, with two councillors to be elected. Voters in that area will therefore be able to select more than one candidate on their ballot paper.

We can not stress the importance of engaging with local democracy by voting in local and national elections.

A full list of all candidates can be found on the link below.

Local elections differ from parliamentary elections in that they focus on who represents residents at a city level, rather than who forms the national government. While Members of Parliament debate and pass laws in Westminster, local councillors are responsible for decisions much closer to home, from bin collections and road maintenance to planning applications and community services.

For Salford residents, local democracy is often the most immediate form of influence they have. It determines how neighbourhoods are run, how resources are allocated, and how communities develop over time.

With the election approaching, the contrast between the importance of these decisions and recent low turnout figures remains clear, with participation likely to play a key role in determining how representative the final results are.

Electing a candidate is your own personal choice and should not be influenced by others. Do the research on your candidates and the parties they represent, ask the important questions that you need and form your own educated decision based on verified facts and information. If you can not make a decision, then look at the individuals asking for your vote and ask how and what they have done to shape your local community.

On that final note we are urging voters to remain cautious of misinformation circulating online, particularly on social media in the run-up to polling day. False or misleading claims about candidates, voting rules or polling arrangements can spread quickly, and residents are encouraged to rely on official sources, such as council communications and verified election information, when making decisions or checking details.