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Torfaen to pilot advance voting centre

Residents will be able to vote in this year’s local elections the weekend before polling day.

Torfaen Council is one of four local authorities in Wales taking part in a Welsh Government pilot to give voters more flexibility in how and when they vote.

People from across the borough will be able to visit an advance voting centre at Pontypool Civic Centre on Saturday 30 April and Sunday 1 May, between 10am and 4pm.

You will not need to have your polling card, but it will help to speed the voting process.

An electronic system will be in place in all polling stations which will allow staff to scan cards to issue ballots.

It means local residents will have four opportunities to vote in the elections in May:

  • By post. To apply click here. Applications must be made by Tuesday 19 April.
  • By proxy. To apply click here. Applications must be made by Tuesday 26 April.
  • Advance voting centre, Pontypool Civic Centre, Saturday 30 April – Sunday 1 May.
  • Your designated polling station, Thursday 5 May.

Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly and Bridgend councils will also be running advance voting centres as part of the pilot.

Caroline Genever-Jones, Torfaen Council’s elections manager, said: “The purpose of the pilot is to see if we can make it easier for people to vote by offering flexibility on when and where you can vote. The scheme will bring the ballot box closer to people’s day to day lives.

“Proxys and anyone who turns 16 between Monday 2 May and polling day on Thursday 5 May will also be able to vote at the advance centre.

“Regardless of how you vote, you will only be able to vote on one occasion. Your vote is also final: once you make it, you will not be able to change your mind on a later voting day.”

Register to vote

Residents who wish to vote in the local elections must be on the electoral register by Thursday 14 April.

Anyone aged over the age of 14 can register and anyone over the age of 16 can vote. To register, visit gov.uk

Unsure if you are registered?

Email [email protected] and the team will check if you are on the register

Stand as a candidate

There is still time to stand as a candidate for election. To register and request a nomination pack email [email protected] or call 01495 7622002. The closing date for nominations is Friday 1 April.

Photo credit

Photo by Element5 Digital from Pexels

 

Posted inNews

Torfaen to pilot advance voting centre

A vote being put in a ballot box