Posted on: Tuesday 25 January 2022
Preparations are underway for the Local Government elections in May, which will elect 40 county borough councillors across Torfaen.
The elections, which will be held on Thursday, 5th May, will also elect 78 community and town councillors.
It's been five years since the last Local Government elections, and the number of people eligible to vote in Wales has increased to include 16 and 17-year-olds and qualifying foreign nationals
Can I vote?
Only residents who are registered on the electoral register can vote. You need to be registered by Thursday, 14th April, in order to vote in the local elections in May.
Anyone over the age of 14, who is eligible, can register here: www.gov.uk/registertovote.
If you have moved house recently, or you are unsure if you are registered, you can email Torfaen Council's elections team on voting@torfaen.gov.uk or telephone 01495 762200.
How can I vote?
You can vote by post but you must apply before 5pm on Tuesday 19th April. You will receive your postal vote and a pre-paid envelope, between 22nd April and 28th April. For more information, visit www.gov.uk/how-to-vote or contact our elections team on voting@torfaen.gov.uk or 01495 762200.
You can nominate for someone to vote on your behalf. You must apply before 5pm on Tuesday, 26th April. For more information, visit www.gov.uk/how-to-vote or contact our elections team on voting@torfaen.gov.uk or 01495 762200.
Torfaen Council is one of four local authorities in Wales piloting a project to allow people to vote early at an Advance Voting Centre. More information will be available in the next few weeks.
Polling stations: You can vote at the polling station printed on your polling card on Thursday 5th May, anytime between 7am and 10pm.
Can I become a councillor?
Anyone over the age of 18, who is on the electoral register and has lived, worked or owned a property in the county borough for at least the past 12 months can stand for election.
You do not need to be a member of a political party to stand as a councillor.
Nomination packs are available from Torfaen Council's election team. To request a pack, email candidates@torfaen.gov.uk
There will also be an information session for potential candidates on Tuesday, 8th February, at 5pm. To register, please email candidates@torfaen.gov.uk.
Candidates wishing to stand for election need to submit nomination papers by 4pm on 5th April.
The list of candidates in Torfaen will be available on the Torfaen Council website on 6th April.
You can keep up-to-date with preparations for the elections on our website, or by following @torfaencouncil on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.