A Referendum is similar to an election in that electors have a right to vote for their preferred choice.  What's different, however, is that in a Referendum we don't vote for a person, we actually vote 'yes' or 'no' to a specific question.

2011 was an unusual year because for the first time since 1997 - when we voted for Welsh devolution - we actually had two Referenda within three months of one another:-

• In March 2011 we were asked whether we thought the National Assembly should have additional powers - the electorate said 'Yes';

and

• In May 2011 we were asked whether we should change the way we voted at Parliamentary Elections to the alternative vote - the electorate said 'No'.

For more information regarding Referenda and Elections, please contact electoral@merthyr.gov.uk