People aged 16 and 17 and foreign nationals are to be given the right to vote in some elections in Wales.

The Labour-controlled Welsh government also wants new voting methods introduced, including the chance to vote in places such as supermarkets, leisure centres and railway stations.

Alun Davies, the cabinet secretary for local government and public services, said: “Local democracy is all about participation. We want to boost the numbers registered as electors, make it easier for people to cast their votes and give more people the right to take part.”

Under the proposals to be announced this week, 16 and 17-year-olds would be given the right to vote in council elections, along with all foreign nationals legally resident in Wales.

Innovative new voting methods, which reflect people’s busy lives, are to be piloted. As well as taking voting booths to less traditional locations, the government likes the idea of digital voting and mobile polling stations.

Davies said too many people, particularly the young, were disengaged from the political process.

“There are many reasons for this, but we must do more to make the process more attractive, welcoming and transparent. The proposals we’re announcing this week will, we hope, help increase participation and improve the democratic process for everyone in Wales,” he said.

“I would like to see authorities in Wales take the lead and pilot a number of innovative voting methods, something put on hold at the UK level since the mid-2000s. I want to see whether, for example, electronic voting or counting, voting on more than one day and in places other than traditional polling stations, could boost participation rates.”

Jessica Blair, the director of the Electoral Reform Society Cymru, welcomed the Welsh government’s move. “It is an opportunity for Wales to lead the way in creating a political system that works for everybody and it is particularly pertinent as we recognise the centenary of the first women getting the vote,” she said.

“Last year, our Missing Voices project, in which we talked about politics and voting with people across Wales, revealed an appetite for doing things differently. We believe these recommendations are the first step in making that happen.”

Sixteen and 17-year-olds can vote in Scottish elections, but the voting age in England and at UK general elections remains 18.