Senedd Elections: The New System

For the Senedd Elections on 7 May 2026, the way we elect members to the Senedd is changing. On this page you will find a summary of the changes as well as some useful links to find further information.

How is the Senedd changing?

The number of Senedd Members is increasing. Instead of 60 members, there will now be 96. Senedd terms are also changing. As of 2026, elections will now be held every 4 years instead of every 5 years.

How is my constituency changing?

Instead of 40 constituencies, there will now be only 16 constituencies across Wales. Each constituency will elect 6 members to represent them in the Senedd. You can check your new constituency using your postcode on the Senedd website here.

How is the electoral system changing?

The new voting system is called a ‘closed proportional list system’. This means you vote for a political party or an independent candidate, rather than individual people. The ballot paper will show the full list of candidates in your constituency, so you can still see who is standing for each party. 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 party or independent candidate gets.

Who can vote on 7 May 2026?

You can vote in the Senedd elections if you are

• registered to vote
• 16 or over on the day of the election
• live in Wales
• are not legally excluded from voting

You can vote if you’re a British citizen, Irish citizen or a citizen of an EU country. You can also vote if you’re a citizen of another country and have permission to enter or stay in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man, or if you do not need permission.

Still confused? Find more information on the Senedd website or contact crynwyrcymru@gmail.com for help.