People in Wales could be able to elect their local councillors as they finish lessons or as part of their weekly shop, as part of efforts to make voting easier in Wales.
The Welsh Government is exploring with local authorities whether flexible voting pilots can take place in next May’s local government elections.
Turnout in this year’s Senedd elections remained below 50%, whilst turnout in local council elections has historically struggled, with some wards barely reaching 10%.
Voting in different spaces is being considered to provide voters with easier access in familiar environments. Polling stations in secondary schools and colleges would allow young people easy access to democracy, following the move to give 16 and 17 year olds the vote in Wales. Consideration is also being given to sites such as leisure centres or supermarkets.
More flexible voting could also be achieved through early voting. This could see polling stations open the day before or the weekend before an election, giving people more options to make their voice heard.
The Welsh Government has outlined these ideas, with an intention to explore them with Council’s in next May’s elections. If successful, lessons learned would then contribute to arrangements for future elections, including the 2026 Senedd elections and 2027 local government elections.
Mick Antoniw MS, Counsel General and Minister for the constitution, said:
“We want to make it as easy as possible for people to vote, which is why we’re looking at making voting possible in more places. Democracy should be part of all our lives and if more of us take part, it will lead to better decisions being made on behalf of everyone in Wales.”
Lee Waters MS, said:
“There is no denying that turnouts for Senedd and local elections in Wales are poor. I spoke to far too many people in the election campaign who didn’t know where their polling station was, how to actually vote and what they were voting for. That is not good enough in a modern democracy. I’m pleased to see these proposals to make voting more accessible and closer to people’s everyday lives. A polling station in the atrium of Coleg Sir Gar, or in Asda in the town centre, could reach so many people who may otherwise not vote on polling day. And we need as many people as possible to be involved in our democracy as we make the big decisions coming out of the pandemic.”
