What's changing?
On 7 May 2026, Welsh voters will participate in the next Senedd election. This election is anticipated to be the most significant for Cardiff Bay since the establishment of the National Assembly for Wales in 1999, now known as Senedd Cymru, due to substantial reforms in the electoral system.
Currently, the Welsh Parliament consists of 60 Members of the Senedd (MSs). Forty MSs represent individual constituencies and are elected through the first-past-the-post system, where the candidate with the highest number of votes wins the seat. The remaining 20 MSs are regional representatives, with Wales divided into five regions, each electing four MSs. These regional MSs are elected via a proportional representation system, allocating seats based on the proportion of votes each party receives.
In the upcoming election, the existing 40 constituencies and five regions will be replaced by 16 larger constituencies. Each of these will elect six MSs, increasing the total number of MSs from 60 to 96.
The first-past-the-post system will be discontinued. Instead, all MSs will be elected through a proportional representation method called the D'Hondt system. This system applies a mathematical formula to distribute seats according to the proportion of votes each party secures.
How will your vote work?
Previously, voters had two votes: one for a local MS candidate and another for a political party. The party votes were then used in the D'Hondt formula to allocate the four regional seats in each area.
In 2026, voters will have only one vote, which will be cast for a political party rather than an individual candidate. Each of the 16 constituencies will have party lists with ranked candidates. The number of MSs elected from each party's list will correspond to the proportion of votes the party receives.
The compilation and ranking of candidates on these lists are determined by the parties themselves. Consequently, voters will not have the option to select specific individuals on election day.
Why is the system changing?
The electoral system reforms are part of broader changes enacted by Labour and Plaid Cymru in the Senedd. The objective is to establish a more proportional voting system that better reflects the diversity of political views across Wales.
However, some critics argue that the chosen system concentrates too much power within political parties and reduces voter choice.
Who can vote and do I have to register?
All individuals aged 16 and over residing in Wales will be eligible to vote in the 2026 Senedd election.
Although there were plans to implement automatic voter registration before the election, these have been postponed. Therefore, voters must register themselves to participate.
The deadline to register to vote is midnight on 20 April 2026. Applications for postal votes must be submitted by 17:00 BST on 21 April, and proxy vote applications by 17:00 BST on 28 April.
Polling stations will be open from 07:00 BST to 22:00 BST on 7 May. The counting of ballot papers will occur the following day rather than overnight.
