Are you aged 16 or 17?

You can now vote in the Senedd 2021 Elections

Now in Wales, 16 and 17-year olds can register to vote in this year’s Senedd election, which is scheduled to take place on Thursday, 6th May. This means you can now have your say on issues affecting Wales such as:

• Education
• Healthcare
• Housing
• Environment
• Economy
• The Welsh Language

You can only vote from the age of 16 at the Senedd elections. The UK Parliamentary elections, local Council elections and the Police and Crime Commissioner elections are different, and you won’t be able to vote at these elections until you are 18. But by registering before then you can vote as soon as you are eligible.

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What is the Senedd?

Senedd Cymru is the democratically elected body that represents the interests of Wales and its people. It makes laws for Wales, agrees Welsh taxes and holds the Welsh Government to account.

Why should I vote?

To make a change or influence your future you need to do your bit for democracy, and one way to do that is to vote in elections.  By doing so, it means you can help decide who represents you and makes big decisions on your behalf.  Politics and democracy influences everything around you, and right now more people can vote in Wales than ever before!

 Handy tip: If you have an interest in politics, why not join the Carmarthenshire Youth Council? A group of young people aged 11 – 25 years old from across Carmarthenshire who act as a voice for young people by representing the views and opinions of all young people in the county.

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How will I know who to vote for?

When you vote in a Senedd Cymru/Welsh Parliament election, you have two votes. One to select your constituency (Carmarthenshire) member and the other to elect your regional (Mid and West Wales) member.

In the constituency ballot, you choose the candidate you want to represent you directly. In the regional ballot, you choose from a list of parties or candidates you want to represent your region.

 Handy tip: Don’t be afraid to ask candidates questions in the lead up to an election. Choose the candidate you feel will best represent you. A list of candidates will be listed on our Senedd Cymru Elections page once their details become available.

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How do I register to vote?

You can only vote at elections if your name appears in the Electoral Register, which is why you need to register first. You can do this on a mobile, tablet or laptop, and it only takes 5 minutes!

You can register to vote at any time, but the deadline to register for the Senedd Cymru 2021 election is Monday 19^th April 2021. You must register before then in order to be able to vote.  If you’re not sure if you are already registered to vote, complete our online form and we will check your details.

If you are over 16, you will need your National Insurance number to register.  For those aged 14, you are still able to register even though you will not have been issued with a National Insurance number yet. 

REGISTER TO VOTE

 Handy tip: Did you know that while it is not compulsory to vote, it is a legal requirement to register to vote. If you’re asked to register and do not, you could be fined!

You can vote in three different ways…

Once you have registered, you will receive a polling card in the post leading up to the election. You will then have three choices on how you would like to vote:

 In person

This means you would visit your designated polling station on the day of the election to vote in person. You have to go to the polling station for the address you’re registered to vote at.  The polling station will be written on the polling card that will be sent to you.

 By post

If you aren’t able to get to a polling station, you can vote by post. You can do this by completing an application form, which then allows you to receive the ballot paper to your home.  Fill it in yourself and post it back to our elections office. The deadline to apply for a postal vote for the elections on 6 May 2021 is 5pm on Tuesday 20 April.

 Apply for a postal vote

 By Proxy

Voting by proxy means allowing someone you trust to vote on your behalf. This is usually due to you being ill, or possibly being out of the country at the time of the election. Apply for a proxy vote before 5pm on Tuesday 27 April.

 Apply for a proxy vote

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What do I do on the day of the election?

If you have decided to vote in person, polling stations are open from 7am until 10pm on polling day. They can get very busy, particularly towards the end of the day. When you arrive at the polling station, you will need to give your name to the poll clerk behind the desk. The staff will then give you a ballot paper listing the candidates you can vote for.

• Take your ballot paper (or papers) into a polling booth so that no one can see how you vote.
• Read the instructions on your ballot paper very carefully, to ensure you complete it correctly.
• Complete the ballot paper in line with the instructions. Don’t write anything else on the paper, or your vote may not be counted.
• If you make a mistake don’t worry, just let the staff know and they can give you a replacement.
• Lastly, but most importantly, once you’re done, put your completed ballot paper in the ballot box.

If you’re not sure what to do, have a disability, or have a visual impairment, then speak with the polling station staff who will help and accommodate.

If you would like further information or support before election day, please contact the Elections Team on 01267 228889 or e-mail electoralservices@carmarthenshire.gov.uk.

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 Further information on Elections and Voting