How Wales’ Automatic Voter Registration Pilot Could Change Elections Forever

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Wales Becomes First UK Nation to Trial Automatic Voter Registration in Pilot Scheme

Wales has taken a pioneering step by becoming the first nation in the UK to trial automatic voter registration, with four local authorities launching a new pilot programme designed to boost democratic participation. The initiative aims to make voter registration more accessible and inclusive by removing traditional barriers.

Under the pilot, Carmarthenshire and Powys will create a replica of the local government register using existing council-held data. This method will help identify which data sources are most effective in finding eligible voters without changing the official electoral roll.

Meanwhile, Gwynedd, Newport, and Powys will take a further step by identifying and verifying potential electors directly from council data before adding them to the actual register. Gwynedd’s pilot also includes targeted outreach efforts to engage communities that have historically been underrepresented in elections.

First Minister Eluned Morgan emphasised the Welsh Government’s dedication to increasing democratic inclusion: “Whilst we see other countries try to discourage electoral participation for political gain, we in Wales want to see as many people engaged in our democracy as possible,” she said.

“When I first became First Minister last year, I said accountability and delivery would be the watchwords of my government. We’re getting on with delivering on the areas that matter most to the people of Wales, and with these pilots, more people can hold elected officials accountable for what we’re doing.”

Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government, Jayne Bryant MS, added: “Other parties talk the talk on democratic participation, but it is Welsh Labour that is leading the way on strengthening our democracy – bringing in votes for 16- and 17-year-olds, and now automatic voter registration pilots.”

She challenged other parties, asking, “Would any other party be happy to stand up to scrutiny like this?”

Potential electors identified through the pilots will receive notification letters explaining the process and their options, including the right to opt out. They will have 60 days to respond before being automatically added to the register. Importantly, those added automatically will not appear on the open version of the register used for marketing purposes, protecting their privacy.

The pilots, established under the Elections and Elected Bodies (Wales) Act 2024, are set to run until 30 September 2025. Following the trial, the Electoral Commission will produce a report assessing the scheme’s impact and recommending whether automatic voter registration should be rolled out permanently across Wales.

This initiative reflects Wales’ commitment to modernising voter registration and increasing participation, potentially serving as a model for other parts of the UK.