Council to run ‘advance voting’ pilot scheme during elections

DURING the Local Government elections in May, Bridgend

County Borough Council will be running an “advance voting” pilot scheme.

The pilot scheme is an opportunity for eligible people to vote at a time of their choosing, rather than on just one designated day. It is anticipated that an extended opportunity to vote will lead to an increased turnout at the upcoming Local Government elections.

Voters who live in specific electoral wards will be able to take part in the pilot scheme, these include the following wards which have been agreed with Welsh Government:

■ ■Brackla East and Coychurch Lower

■ ■Brackla East Central

■ ■Brackla West

■ ■Brackla West Central ■ ■Cornelly

■ ■Pyle, Kenfig Hill and Cefn Cribwr ■ ■St Bride’s Minor and Ynysawdre

Voters who live in these wards will be able to vote on Tuesday and Wednesday, May 3 and 4 before polling day on Thursday, May 5, in the upcoming election.

There will also be a separate “advance voting” pilot taking place at Cynffig Comprehensive School where pupils at the school who are registered to vote and live within Cornelly or Pyle,

Kenfig Hill and Cefn Cribwr Electoral Wards will be able to cast their vote in school between 8.30am and 4.30pm on Tuesday, May 3, before polling day.

Chief executive of Bridgend County Borough Council, Mark Shephard said: “These wards were chosen based on low turnout rates at the last local elections, so this is a great opportunity to increase turnout with voters having a choice of three days to cast their vote.

“We are also anticipating a high turnout of young voters in the school pilot taking place at Cynffig Comprehensive School. Pupils who may not have voted before can do so in a familiar environment during school hours.

“It is vital that anyone who isn’t on the Electoral Register makes an effort to register to vote in order to have their say on May

5.”

If you, or a young person in your care is 16 or 17 years old on or before May 5, they can register to vote and have their say under new legislation in Wales.

Registering to vote takes five minutes and can be done online. Visit the UK Government website to find out more information and to register.