Local council elections in Wales Thursday 4 May 2017
Local council elections in Wales
Thursday 4 May 2017 Local Authority elections factsheet 2017.docx (Word, 133.82 KB)
If you want to vote, you must be registered. You can apply online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote or by contacting the electoral services department at your local council.
The deadline to apply to vote in these elections is Thursday 13 April.
How can I vote?
You can use the tactile device
Your polling station will have a device that can be attached to the ballot paper. It has a window that can be lifted for each candidate. To use the device you should:
- lift the window for each candidate you want to vote for
- mark an X
- close the window
- separate the template from the ballot paper
- fold and place the ballot paper in the ballot box
The polling station staff can explain how to use the device and read out the candidate names in the order that they appear on the ballot paper, which political party they are representing or whether they are an independent candidate.
You can ask the Presiding Officer for help
The Presiding Officer is an independent person who is in charge of the polling station. You can ask them for help.
You can ask the Presiding Officer to read out the instructions on the ballot paper and the names of candidates in the order that they appear on the ballot paper, which political party they are representing or whether they are an independent candidate.
You can tell the Presiding Officer, in the privacy of the polling booth, how to mark the ballot paper on your behalf.
You can ask someone to come to the polling station with you
You can ask someone to come to the polling station to help you.
Your companion must be either a close relative (father, mother, brother, sister, spouse, civil partner, son or daughter – if they are aged 18 years or over) or a qualified elector. You should ask the permission of the Presiding Officer to be assisted by your companion.
Your companion is required by law to complete a simple declaration. The Presiding Officer must record your name and elector number, as well as your companion’s name and address. This is just a security measure and will not mean your vote can be identified in any way.
You can use the large print resources
Your polling station will have a large-print version of the ballot paper on display. There will also be a large hand-held copy of the ballot paper, marked ‘sample’, both of which you can use as a reference whilst casting your vote.
You can vote by post or proxy
If you are unable to visit your polling station on the day of the election, you can apply to vote by post or by proxy.
A proxy vote is where you appoint someone you trust to vote on your behalf.
Postal vote applications must usually include the elector’s signature. If you are unable to provide a signature, or a consistent signature, you can request that the requirement for a signature is waived. Your application must include the reason for the waiver request and the name and address of any person who has assisted you with completing the application.
The deadline to apply to vote by post is 5pm on 18 April
The deadline to apply to vote by proxy is 5pm on 25 April
To apply to vote by post or proxy you must be registered to vote. The deadline to apply to register to vote is Thursday 13 April.
Visit www.yourvotematters.co.uk or contact the electoral services department at your local council to find out more.
Key Information
What elections are taking place?
On Thursday 4 May, there will be local council elections for all local authority areas in Wales. There will also be community council elections in some areas.
Councils are responsible for providing local services and facilities including:
- Council housing
- Education services
- Electoral registration
- Environmental health
- Leisure and recreation facilities
- Libraries
- Local planning
- Local transport
- Parks and public places
- Regulation of local business
- Roads and footpaths
- Social services
- Waste and recycling
How do I vote?
You will be given a ballot paper to vote in the local council elections. There will be instructions at the top of the ballot saying how many councillors you can vote for in your area. Mark an X in the box against the candidate or candidates you want to vote for.
You may also be given a ballot paper for the community council elections, if there is a community council election taking place in your area. There will be instructions at the top of the ballot saying how many councillors you can vote for in your area. Mark an X in the box against the candidate or candidates you want to vote for.
You can ask the staff in the polling station to read out the instructions to you.
Where is my polling station?
The address of your polling station will be written on your poll card. You can also contact the electoral services department at your local council to find out.
When are polling stations open?
Polling stations will be open on election day (Thursday 4 May) from 7:00am to 10:00pm. You do not need to take your poll card with you to vote.
If you have a postal vote and have forgotten to return it, you can take your completed postal vote pack to any polling station in your constituency before 10:00pm.
What are the key dates?
The deadline to apply to register to vote is 13 April
The deadline to apply to vote by post is 5pm on 18 April
The deadline to apply to vote by proxy is 5pm on 25 April
Election Day is 4 May, 7am to 10pm
