With all these modifications it can be difficult to stay on top of what you need to do on polling day. You may be wondering, ‘do I need to bring ID to vote in the Senedd Election?’
The Senedd Election will take place on Thursday, May 7(Image: Rob Browne/WalesOnline)
The moment has come, and the Senedd Election has arrived. Politicians have published their manifestos, knocked on doors across their constituencies and participated in numerous debates. Now, it’s your turn to have your say, and ideally you’ve decided which party will receive your X at the polling station on Thursday, May 7.
In the run-up to this major election there have been numerous changes, including new constituencies, a different voting system and an increase in the number of Senedd members from 60 to 96.
With all these modifications it can be difficult to stay on top of what you need to do on polling day. You may be wondering, ‘do I need to bring ID to vote in the Senedd Election?’
The simple answer is no, you don’t need to take your ID with you to vote in this year’s Senedd Election. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here.
Despite our neighbours across the bridge in England needing their IDs, in Wales and Scotland it is not mandatory to bring a form of identification before voting at your local polling station.
In fact, you don’t need to bring anything with you.
On the Senedd.Wales website they clarify that “there’s no need to bring your polling card with you, and ID is not required to vote in a Senedd election. You can still vote even if you’ve misplaced your card.”
Additionally, pens and pencils will be provided at the polling station for you to cast your vote on the day.
You can however bring your dog to the polling station, and taking adorable pictures of them next to the sign to promote others to vote. That is of course entirely up to you.
Send us your pictures of your dogs at the polling station(Image: PA Archive/PA Images)
Polling stations can differ from place to place, they may be held in a village hall or a leisure centre, or perhaps mobile polling stations may pop up in the middle of housing estates.
If you aren’t a first time voter, the chances are you’ve been to your local polling station for previous elections.
However, if you’re unsure where yours is, you can either check your polling card which you would have received in the mail or alternatively you can check on Vote.Wales here.
If you type in your postcode, then click on your address, information about your local polling station will pop up.
This will then give you the address, the times that your polling stations is open, and a list of parties/candidates running in your constituency.
If this is your first time voting, or perhaps you need a refresher of the dos and don’ts of the day, you can find more information on the Senedd.Wales website here.