2/3/21
Senedd and Police and Crime Commissioner elections will be held across Wales on May 6, 2021 and Cardiff Council is encouraging eligible residents across the city to make sure they are registered to vote in the polls.

This week, letters from the authority's Electoral Services team will start arriving at households asking residents to confirm details of the eligible voters in the property, and the method - in person, by post or by proxy, they have chosen to cast their vote in May.

Residents should check the information carefully and if all details are correct, there is nothing to do.  If changes need to be made, such as an individual listed no longer living at the address, residents should contact the Council by emailingelectoralservices@cardiff.gov.ukor phoning 029 2087 2087.

Any member of the household aged 14 or over not listed on the letter can register to vote atwww.gov.uk/register-to-voteThis year's Senedd election will be the first time 16 and 17-year-olds in Wales, as well as qualifying foreign nationals, will be able to vote to elect members of the Senedd.

Paul Orders, Returning Officer for Cardiff, said: "The Senedd and PCC elections are not far away now and are an important opportunity  for people in Cardiff to make their voice heard and have a say on who represents them at the Senedd and across the South Wales Police force area.

"The Household Notification Letters we are currently sending out are a way of checking the records we hold about eligible voters are correct and any information that needs updating can be changed in good time, ahead of the May elections.

"It's important for residents to know that a great deal of work is already taking place to ensure people can vote safely in May. We're putting arrangements in place to help them stay safe at the polling station - such as hand sanitiser, floor markings to facilitate social distancing, the wearing of face masks and more.

"But we do understand that some people may prefer not to visit a polling station this time and so there is also the option to apply to vote by post or by proxy."

Residents who would like to vote by post can apply herehttp://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/voting-person-post-or-proxy/voting-post

or by emailing electoralservices@cardiff.gov.uk for an application form. The deadline to apply for a postal vote is 5pm on Tuesday, April 20, 2021.

Alternatively, residents can choose to appoint a proxy, someone they trust to vote on their behalf, by applying here:https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/voting-person-post-or-proxy/voting-proxybefore 5pm on Tuesday, April 27, 2021.

The deadline for register to vote is midnight on Monday, April 19.

Mr Orders added: "We are expecting an increase in the number of applications for postal votes this year so are encouraging residents to apply as early as possible, and to please remember, unless you are registered to vote by Monday April 19, you will not be able to take part in May's elections."