Title

LOCAL DEMOCRACY

Wales to automatically register voters

The Welsh Government is to establish automatic voter registration for local government and Senedd elections.

The Welsh Government is to establish automatic voter registration for local government and Senedd elections. 

Under the Elections and Elected Bodies (Wales) Bill - introduced today - councils would be required to add people to the local government register without the need for an application.

Local authorities will be invited to take part in trials focusing on how best to collect data to support automatic registration.

The Government said its ambition was for the changes to be in place for the next major devolved and local elections in 2026 and 2027.

Counsel general and minister for the constitution Mick Antoniw said: ‘Ultimately, this is about making it as easy as possible for people to vote and participate in democracy.

‘Our actions to remove barriers are in direct contrast with the UK Government, which has denied some voters their democratic right by requiring photo ID in recent English local elections.'

Director of the Electoral Reform Society Cymru campaign group, Jess Blair, said: ‘It is welcome that ministers are looking at how to make voting easier for people, removing barriers that we know many people face.'

LOCAL DEMOCRACY

EXCLUSIVE: Cleverly calls for transparency boost

By Dan Peters | 11 June 2026

Shadow local government secretary James Cleverly has called for measures that would strengthen the sector’s ‘accountability and transparency to the press and...

LOCAL DEMOCRACY

Unlocking the true power of culture

By Heather Jameson | 11 June 2026

Bradford’s year as City of Culture may be over, but it has left an imprint on the people and place. The MJ, Gatenby Sanderson and Bradford City Council broug...

LOCAL DEMOCRACY

Lessons from Swansea: A collaborative approach to addressing poverty stigma

By Amanda Hill-Dixon | 11 June 2026

Amanda Hill-Dixon sets out evidence-informed actions for councils to reduce poverty stigma through universal services, dignified support, inclusive communica...

LOCAL DEMOCRACY

EXCLUSIVE: Chiefs lobby Government over severance payment threshold

By Dan Peters | 10 June 2026

Council chiefs have been lobbying the Government to relax the requirements around special severance payments when they publish guidance on reorganisation sta...

Popular articles by Ellie Ames