Your voice matters. If you’re 16 or over, you can use your voice to shape the future of Wales by voting in Senedd and local elections in Wales.
There are three ways you can cast your vote:
- in person, at a polling station
- post, with a postal vote
- proxy, by choosing someone to vote on your behalf
You must be registered to vote before you can vote in a Senedd election.
Vote in person
If you’re on the electoral register, you’ll receive a polling card in the post. This will give you details of where your local polling station is.
You can go to a polling station on the day of a Senedd election to cast your vote. Polling stations are set up for the day in local buildings such as school or community halls across Wales.
On election day, polling stations open from 07.00 until 22.00 to make sure as many people as possible can use their vote.
Find out more about voting in person
Vote by post
If you’re 16 or over, you can apply for a postal vote to use in Senedd and local elections in Wales. You don’t need to give a reason.
You will need to fill in a postal vote application form. You can get this from your local electoral registration office.
Visit www.gov.uk/contact-electoral-registration-office to find your local office.
When Senedd and local elections take place in Wales, you’ll be sent your ballot paper, along with instructions about how to fill it in.
You’ll only be sent this when you’re 16 or over at the time of a Senedd or local election.
To apply for a postal vote, you must be registered to vote first.
Find out more about voting by post
Voting by proxy
If you’re 16 or over, you can apply for a proxy vote to use in Senedd and local elections in Wales. You’ll need to give a reason for why you want to vote by proxy.
If you know you won’t be able to get to a polling station on election day, voting by proxy is a great alternative. A proxy vote means you choose someone you trust to vote on your behalf. This can be helpful if you have a medical issue or disability that stops you going to a polling station,, or if you’re planning to be abroad on election day.
To apply for a proxy vote, you must be registered to vote first. The person you choose to vote on your behalf also needs to be registered to vote.
Find out more about voting by proxy
Further information
For more information on how to vote, visit the Electoral Commission website: www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/how-cast-your-vote
