Local council elections are taking place across Wales on 5 May 2022.
Historically voting has always taken place on a Thursday. However, Blaenau Gwent is one of four local authorities piloting ‘advance’ voting which will allow people to vote early on different days.
In Blaenau Gwent, you will be able to vote on Tuesday 3 May and on Wednesday 4 May before the election at the Coleg Gwent in Ebbw Vale between 8am and 4pm. Anyone resident in Blaenau Gwent can go vote here, regardless of where they live and the location of their usual traditional polling station.
Andrea Jones, Returning Officer for Blaenau Gwent Council, said
"The purpose of the schemes 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.
"This is the next step in ensuring elections in Wales are as accessible as possible and that everyone who wants to vote can vote. The learning will be used to inform longer term improvements to the way people vote and help reduce the democratic deficit."
Mick Antoniw, Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution, said:
“These pilots are another step in ensuring elections in Wales are as accessible as possible. We want it to be as easy as possible to vote, increasing turnout and creating political structures that are more representative of the people they serve."
Residents will still be able to vote on Thursday 5 May at their usual polling station if they haven’t taken part in the advance voting scheme.