Senedd Elections
Significant changes are due to come into force prior to the next Senedd polls scheduled on Thursday 7 May 2026. What you need to know can be found on Senedd Cymru's Countdown to the 2026 Senedd Election: Five things you need to know webpage.
Wales will have 16 constituencies instead of the current 40. Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru created the new constituencies for Wales.
The Senedd will have 96 Members instead of 60. Each constituency will elect six Members.
- Pen-y-Bont Bro Morgannwg Constituency, the Commission determined that a county constituency be created from: The Bridgend UK Parliamentary constituency and The Vale of Glamorgan UK Parliamentary constituency. The Commission designated the single name of Pen-y-Bont Bro Morgannwg for this constituency.
- Afan Ogwr Rhondda Constituency, the Commission determined that a constituency be created from: The Aberafan Maesteg UK Parliamentary constituency and the Rhondda and Ogmore UK Parliamentary constituency. The Commission designated the single name of Afan Ogwr Rhondda for this constituency.
New voting system
The new voting system is called a ‘closed proportional list system’. This means you vote for a political party (rather than individuals) or an independent candidate.
The ballot paper will show the full list of candidates in your constituency, so you can still see who you’re voting for. If a party wins enough votes, they will win one or more seats in the Senedd. If an independent candidate wins enough votes, they will win a seat in the Senedd.
Seats will reflect the percentage of votes each part or independent candidate gets.
Who can vote in this election
To vote in any election in the UK, you must be registered to vote.
When registered, the following can vote in the Senedd Election on Thursday 7 May 2026:
- Aged 16 years old and above
- British, Irish or qualifying Commonwealth citizens
- EU citizens
- Qualifying foreign citizens (a qualifying foreign citizen is a citizen of another county who has permission to enter or stay in the UK, or who does not need such permission).
You do not need Voter ID to be able to vote in this election.
Key dates
- Deadline to register to vote: Monday 20 April 2026
- If you have moved home recently and have not registered to vote at your new address, you must do so by Monday 20 April 2026
- If you have moved home recently and have not registered to vote at your new address, you must do so by Monday 20 April 2026
- Deadline to register to vote by post or by postal proxy: Tuesday 21 April 2026, 5pm
- Deadline to apply to vote by proxy (not emergency proxy): Tuesday 28 April 2026, 5pm
- Emergency proxy votes may be available from 5pm, Tuesday 28 April 2026 until 5pm on Thursday 7 May 2026 but only under specific extenuating circumstances, find details on the Electoral Commission website or by telephoning 01656 643116.
- Polling Day: Thursday 7 May 2026, polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm