At what age can I vote, register, become a Councillor etc?
Age 14
All 14 and 15 year olds living in Wales can apply to be added to the electoral register. Registering at this age will enable you to be on the Electoral Register when you turn 16.
Age 16
At 16 and 17 you are able to vote in the Senedd (Welsh parliament) and local elections, which include Town and Community Councils. In order to vote you must have been added to the Electoral Register – see section below.
Age 18
At 18 you can vote in ALL elections, including general (parliamentary) elections. You are also able to stand as a Councillor and represent your local community. For more information visit Become a Councillor.
The Electoral Register
Being on the electoral register enables you to vote. It also helps you get a credit rating from credit agencies which you may need as you get older when applying for things like a mobile phone or mortgage.
How to Register
Visit www.gov.uk/registertovote or telephone Conwy’s electoral office on 01492 576051 or 01492 576052. It only takes a minute and you will just need to provide your name, address, date of birth and National Insurance number.
If you would like to vote by post (rather than voting at a polling station) select that you would like a postal vote application form when you register.
Your National Insurance number
You should have received your National Insurance number a couple of months before you turned 16. Keep this safe! You will need to provide your National insurance number in other circumstances in the future, for example when you get a job.
If you can’t find your National Insurance number you can get help at www.gov.uk/lost-national-insurance-number or by telephoning the National Insurance Number Helpline on 0300 200 3500. They will not tell you your National Insurance number over the phone but they will post it out to you.