15/11/21

Young people and eligible foreign nationals living in Cardiff are being encouraged to register to vote, following changes to the law that means they can vote in Local Government elections for the first time.

Sixteen and 17-year-olds and qualifying foreign citizens living in Wales were able to vote in the Senedd elections earlier this year and the democratic franchise has also now been extended to these groups to be able to vote in next May's local elections.

The Council has launched a digital campaign to raise awareness of the changes and to encourage newly enfranchised residents to make sure they can exercise their democratic right next Spring, by ensuring they are registered to vote.

Young people can now register to vote from age 14.

Electoral registration officer for Cardiff, Paul Orders, said: "The extension of the democratic franchise for the local elections to young people and eligible foreign nationals means more  Cardiff residents now have the chance to have their say on who represents their area on the city's council.

"It's important that everyone exercises their democratic right and registers to vote so they can make their voice heard in May next year."

Residents aged 14 to 21 in the city who register to vote before November 22 have the opportunity to win a £100 shopping voucher, as all new eligible registrations will be entered into a prize draw.

The council is also working with universities in the city to encourage students living in Cardiff to register to vote. Students are able to register to vote at their home address and their term time address, as long as those addresses are in different electoral areas.

And for the local elections next May, students can vote in their home area as well as from their university address (as long as their addresses are in council areas) as these elections are considered separate elections.

In addition to newly enfranchised voters, the Council is keen to remind the wider electorate of the importance of registering to vote.  It's quick and easy to register - residents just need 5 minutes and their National Insurance number to register online by visiting www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

The electoral register for Cardiff will be published on December 1.