A consultation on a possible change to the way Ceredigion councillors are elected has been launched.

All councillors in Wales are currently elected using a simple majority system, commonly known as first past the post (FPTP), as used in general elections.

Each council will continue to use this method unless it decides to change to a system known as the Single Transferable Vote (STV) under 2021 legislation, a change that would not affect town and community council elections.

Back in March, Ceredigion councillors backed a public consultation being held on the possible changes, asking residents for their views on adopting the alternative system.

That consultation has now been launched, running until September 6.

Speaking at the March meeting, Aberaeron county councillor Elizabeth Evans was one of many supporting a public consultation.

“38 councillors cannot decide on the wholesale change of how we are elected without going out to the whole of Ceredigion,” said Cllr Evans, adding: “We do need to consult with the people of Ceredigion, and we would be criticised wholly if we didn’t.”

Another supporter was Catrin M S Davies, who said: “I think we have to be ready for the public to express their decision here, that is what democracy is. If we don’t open the consultation to the public – it doesn’t matter what our opinions are on STV – we are voting to decide whether we allow the public to express their opinion.

“It will be complicated, but for the voting side it’s not complicated; the people of Ceredigion are clearly able to deal with the system.”

To share your views online visit www.ceredigion.gov.uk/your-council/consultations/consultation-upon-the-system-for-voting-at-ceredigion-county-council-elections/

Paper copies are available at: Aberystwyth Library, Lampeter Library, Lampeter Wellbeing Centre, Aberaeron Library, and Cardigan Library.

Ceredigion County Council’s Leader, Cllr Bryan Davies said: “We want the voting system to be as easy as possible for our residents to vote, so please take the time to share your thoughts in the consultation process.”

The more complex STV system differs in a number of ways, including that every single county council ward would need to be larger and multi-member, with voters ranking the candidates according to their order of preference.

If there is a demand for STV, a special meeting of the council would need to be convened, and would require a two-thirds majority to make the change; the council must then notify Welsh Ministers and the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales.

Last October, neighbouring Pembrokeshire voted against adopting the STV system.