The upcoming London Mayoral elections will see thousands of Londoners head to the polls.

The current Labour Mayor Sadiq Khan will be hoping to win a third time against the Conservative candidate Susan Hall and the Liberal Democrat candidate Rob Blackie to name a few.

However, before voting kicks off on May 2, there are a few key things any Londoner should know about the role of the London Mayor.

From how long a term lasts, to how many times a Mayor can be re-elected, this is what to know about the role.

How long can you be the Mayor of London?

The role of the Mayor of London does not have a limit on how many terms you can serve.

Since Londoners began to vote for the role in 2000, the capital has only had three Mayors.

They are: Ken Livingstone (2000-2008), Boris Johnson (2008-2016) and Sadiq Khan (2016-present).

All have served eight years, however, as there is no limit on how long a Mayor can serve, their time as Mayor could've lasted even longer.

How many times can a Mayor of London be re-elected?

As there is no limit on how long a Mayor can serve, there is also no limit on the number of times a candidate can be re-elected into the role.

That means, that if Sadiq Khan wins for the third time in the role, it would be record-breaking and see him become the longest-serving elected Mayor.


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What do you need to vote in the London Mayoral Election?

Voters in local elections in England will be required to show voter ID to vote.

To vote in the Mayoral election, you will need one of the following types of photo ID to vote:

  • a UK or Northern Ireland photocard driving licence (full or provisional)
  • a driving licence issued by the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, the Isle of Man or any of the Channel Islands
  • a UK passport
  • a passport issued by the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or a Commonwealth country
  • a PASS card (National Proof of Age Standards Scheme)
  • a Blue Badge
  • a biometric residence permit (BRP)
  • a Defence Identity Card (MOD form 90)
  • a national identity card issued by the EU, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein
  • a Northern Ireland Electoral Identity Card
  • a Voter Authority Certificate
  • an Anonymous Elector’s Document

You can also use one of the following travel passes as photo ID when you vote:

  • an older person’s bus pass
  • a disabled person’s bus pass
  • an Oyster 60+ card
  • a Freedom Pass
  • a Scottish National Entitlement Card (NEC)
  • a 60 and Over Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
  • a Disabled Person’s Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
  • a Northern Ireland concessionary travel pass

You will only need to show one form of photo ID. It needs to be the original version and not a photocopy.

You can still use your photo ID if it's out of date, as long as it looks like you.

The name on your ID should be the same name you used to register to vote.