WIREDGOV

The Electoral Commission has launched a campaign to encourage people to register to vote and ensure they can take part in the Senedd election on 7 May. The deadline to register to vote is midnight on Monday 20 April. Voters can apply online at gov.uk/register-to-vote (Opens in new window). It takes just five minutes.  

Previous research found that approximately 400,000 people in Wales aren’t registered correctly. Age continues to have a significant impact on registration – just 43% of 16–17-year-olds are registered to vote, compared to 95% of those over 65. Other groups who are less likely to be registered include students, recent home movers and private renters, and foreign citizens resident in Wales.

The campaign is designed to encourage people to celebrate and take pride in being on the electoral register, with adverts featuring diverse groups of people who have registered to vote, showing it off to friends, neighbours and colleagues. As part of the campaign launch, the Senedd building in Cardiff Bay will be lit up with the registration deadline on the evening of Wednesday 11 March.

Rhydian Thomas, Head of the Electoral Commission, Wales said:  

“It’s important that people check they’re registered to vote ahead of the upcoming Senedd election on 7 May. Anyone resident in Wales aged 16 or over on polling day is eligible to vote.

“If you’ve never registered before, recently changed your name or moved house, it takes just five minutes to update your details online. Checking now helps make sure your voice is heard at this election.”

Once registered, voters have a range of options – they can vote in person, by post or by appointing someone they trust to vote on their behalf, known as a proxy vote. Voters in Wales will not need to show photo ID to vote in this election.

For more information contact Ella Griffiths-Downing, Senior Communications Adviser on 029 2034 6824 or egriffiths-downing@electoralcommission.org.uk.      

Notes to Editors

• A Senedd election is taking place across Wales on 7 May. To be eligible to vote at this election you must be a British, Irish or qualifying Commonwealth, EU or foreign citizen living in Wales, aged 16 or over.
• The light display on the Senedd building will run from approximately 17:30 – 19:00 on Wednesday 11 March. Electoral Commission spokespeople will be available for interview.
• Graphics and illustrations from the campaign that can be embedded in articles and used on websites and social media channels are available to download on our website.
• The deadline to register to vote is midnight on 20 April.
• The deadline to apply for a postal vote is 5pm on 21 April.  
• The deadline to apply for a proxy vote is 5pm on 28 April.  
• The Electoral Commission is the independent body which oversees elections and regulates political finance in the UK. We work to promote public confidence in the democratic process and ensure its integrity by:

1. enabling the delivery of free and fair elections and referendums, focusing on the needs of electors and addressing the changing environment to ensure every vote remains secure and accessible
2. regulating political finance – taking proactive steps to increase transparency, ensure compliance and pursue breaches
3. using our expertise to make and advocate for changes to our democracy,
4. aiming to improve fairness, transparency and efficiency

• The Commission was set up in 2000 and reports to the Welsh, UK and Scottish parliaments.