Four flexible voting pilots for Welsh local authorities

The Welsh Government has announced details of four flexible voting pilot schemes being taken forward by local authorities.

The pilots will mean people in the Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly and Torfaen council areas will be able to vote before polling day on 5 May 2022.

All four pilots are designed to make it easier for people to vote at a time and a place that is convenient for them. The findings and evidence gathered will influence future decisions and successful pilots could be extended more widely into future local government or Senedd elections.

Mick Antoniw, Minister for the Constitution, said: “More people taking an active part in our democracy is good for our society. These pilots will make it easier and more convenient for people to vote, bringing the ballot box closer to people’s day to day lives. At a time when UK government plans for voter ID risk making voting harder, our message is loud and clear that voting should be easier.

“Lowering the voting age to 16 was a progressive step that recognises the valuable contributions young people can make. We’re giving young people the chance to shape our democracy so I’m pleased pilot schemes will take place in a school and in a college. The outcomes of the pilots will be carefully considered and could eventually reshape how people cast their votes across all of Wales.”

Coleg Gwent's Blaenau Gwent Learning Zone in Ebbw Vale will be used as an early polling station in the week leading to election day. All students there will be able to cast their votes as Wales lowered the voting age to 16 last year. The polling station will also be available as an early voting centre for all residents of the county, no matter which electoral ward they live in.

In Bridgend, a new polling station will be created in a school so eligible pupils can cast their votes there ahead of election day. Existing polling stations in wards which have had lower turnout will also be open for early voting in the week ahead of the election.

In Caerphilly and Torfaen, council offices will be used as early voting centres on the weekend before election day. They will be open to all residents of the county, no matter which electoral ward they live in, providing a convenient town centre location to vote.

The pilots in Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly and Torfaen will also mean people from anywhere in the county will be able to vote at a central polling station, not just one in their ward, offering flexibility over location as well as timing.