Ceredigion County Council website

A by-election for the Rheidol Ward of Aberystwyth Town Council, to elect one Councillor will be held Thursday, 19 March 2026.

Town / Community Council Elections

There are currently 51 Town and Community Councils in Ceredigion.

Town and Community Councils can set a 'precept' or 'rate' which is collected by the County Council along with the Council Tax.

The level of services provided by community and town councils varies across Wales but can include:

• provision and maintenance of community transport schemes, local youth projects, tourism activities
• leisure facilities, car parks, village greens, public lavatories, litter bins
• biodiversity schemes (there is a duty under the Environment (Wales) Act 2021 for all councils to prepare biodiversity plans)
• burial grounds, allotments, bus shelters, commons and open spaces, footpaths and bridleways, crime reduction measures
• provision of a village hall or contributing to another body that provides a facility.

In addition, many councils provide other services, such as public telephones; village surgeries; preservation or restoration of old objects or buildings; best kept village competition; tidying land of unknown ownership; Christmas trees; flower shows, festivals and fairs; contributions to play groups and youth clubs; meals on wheels; and assistance for the disabled.

In the Town and Community Council elections, you will choose the candidates you want to represent you directly. You may vote for more than one and the maximum number you can vote for will be stated on the ballot paper. The maximum number will vary dependent on the size of the Town/Community Council.

Who can vote in these Elections?

For Local Elections, you must be:

• Registered to vote: If you’re not already registered, visit gov.uk/register-to-vote
• Sixteen or over on the day of the election – 19 March 2026.
• A British, Irish, EU, or qualifying Commonwealth citizen*.
• A qualifying foreign citizen who has permission to enter or stay in the UK, or who doesn’t need such permission.

*A qualifying Commonwealth citizen is someone who has leave to enter or remain in the UK or does not require such leave. The list of qualifying countries, British Crown Dependencies and British Overseas Territories can be found on the Electoral Commission website.

Who cannot vote?

The following groups are legally excluded from voting in Wales:

• A convicted person (though remand prisoners, as yet not convicted prisoners and civil prisoners can vote if they are on the electoral register).
• Anyone found guilty within the previous five years of corrupt or illegal practices in connection with an election.

Registering to vote

Ensure that you are registered to vote

• The deadline for voter registration – 11:59pm on Tuesday, 3 March.
• If you are already registered to vote at your property and have not moved since, you do not need to re-register to vote
• If you have moved home recently and have not registered to vote at your new address, you must do so by 11:59pm on Tuesday, 3 March.
• Don’t forget that 16 and 17 year olds can now vote in Local elections.
• You can check if you are registered to vote by contacting electoralservices@ceredgion.gov.uk
• Register by Tuesday, 3 March or you won’t be able to vote on Thursday, 19 March.
• It takes less three minutes to register online It helps to have your National Insurance number to hand, you can find it on your payslip, P60, or letters about tax, pensions and benefits.
• Voters can also register by contacting 01545 570881
• Don’t leave registration until the last minute, just in case you have any problems.

Voting

Voting at a Polling Station – 19 March 2026

• The Polling Station at Aberystwyth Football Club will open from 7.00am until 10.00pm on Polling Day – 19 March 2026

Postal voters

• The deadline to apply for a postal vote – 5.00pm on Wednesday, 4 March.
• Postal vote applicants must already be registered to vote. Forms can be downloaded from the Gov.UK website or 01545 570881
• Only postal votes which arrive back before 10.00pm on polling day will be counted.
• Forgot to send your postal vote back in time? Completed and sealed postal vote packs can be dropped into any polling station in the same voting area on polling day, but ideally to your local polling station.
• Lost your postal vote or it didn’t arrive? Replacement packs can be issued from 13 March until 5.00pm on 19 March 2026.
• Replacement postal ballot packs will only be issued in person at Neuadd Cyngor Ceredigion, Penmorfa, Aberaeron, Ceredigion SA46 0PA.
  • Phone in advance if you require a replacement postal ballot pack
  • You will need to bring proof of identification: one photographic ID such as a passport or driving licence, or two pieces of ID which confirm your name and address such as a bank statement, utility bill or official letter.

Proxy voters

• The deadline to apply for a proxy vote – 5.00pm on Wednesday, 11 March.
• A proxy voter is someone you trust who you appoint to vote on your behalf.
• You must already be registered to vote to make a proxy application. Forms and full details on eligibility can be found on the Electoral Commission website
• Your proxy must be eligible to vote in the election and will need to be able to vote in person at your polling station, or need to apply to cast their proxy vote by post. They will receive a letter or poll card at their address giving them the necessary details.

Emergency Proxy voters

• Emergency proxy votes may be available from after the proxy deadline of 11 March until 5.00pm on 19 March 2026 but only under specific extenuating circumstances, find details on the Electoral Commission website or 01545 570881.

For candidate and agent queries relating to the Local elections, please go to the Candidates and Agents page.