Introduction to the Welsh Senedd Election 2026
The Welsh Senedd Election 2026 was a major democratic event in Wales and marked a significant change in the way the Welsh Parliament is elected. The election took place on Thursday, 7 May 2026, and was the first Senedd election conducted under a new electoral system that replaced the previous arrangement of constituency and regional members.
The Senedd, officially known as Senedd Cymru or the Welsh Parliament, is the devolved legislature for Wales. It makes laws in areas within its powers, agrees Welsh taxes and holds the Welsh Government to account. The 2026 election therefore determined the membership of an institution responsible for important areas of public policy in Wales.
One of the biggest changes was the size of the Senedd. Before the election, the Senedd had 60 Members of the Senedd, commonly known as MSs. From the 2026 election, the number increased to 96 Members. Wales was also reorganised into 16 new constituencies, with each constituency electing six Members.
Another major change was the voting system. Instead of receiving two ballot papers, voters received one ballot paper and one vote. They selected either a political party or an independent candidate. Seats were then allocated using a closed proportional list system based on the percentage of votes received.
The election also continued Wales’s policy of allowing eligible 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in Senedd elections. Photo identification was not required when voting in person.
The combination of a new voting system, new constituencies, a larger Senedd and a single ballot made the 2026 election one of the most significant changes to Welsh electoral arrangements since devolution.
When Was the Welsh Senedd Election 2026?
The Welsh Senedd Election 2026 took place on Thursday, 7 May 2026. Polling stations were open from 7:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m.
The election timetable began well before polling day. The last day of Senedd business before dissolution was 27 March 2026, while the formal notice of election was published on 30 March.
The Senedd was dissolved on 8 April 2026. The deadline for candidates to submit nomination papers was 4:00 p.m. on 9 April, followed by the publication of the statements of persons nominated on 10 April.
The deadline to register to vote was 11:59 p.m. on 20 April. Applications for postal votes and postal-proxy votes had to be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on 21 April. The ordinary proxy vote deadline was 5:00 p.m. on 28 April.
Polling day then took place on 7 May, followed by the counting of votes on 8 May. These dates formed the main administrative timetable for the election.
What Is the Senedd?
The Senedd is the democratically elected Welsh Parliament. It represents the people of Wales and exercises powers in areas that have been devolved from the UK Parliament.
The Senedd has three major functions. It makes laws for Wales within its legislative competence, agrees Welsh taxes and scrutinises the Welsh Government.
The institution was originally established as the National Assembly for Wales following devolution. It later became the Senedd Cymru or Welsh Parliament.
The Welsh Government is the executive body responsible for implementing policies and administering public services within its powers. The Senedd, meanwhile, provides the legislative and scrutiny function.
This distinction is important because the Senedd election determines the composition of the legislature, while the First Minister and Welsh Government operate within the parliamentary system created by the election.
Why Was the 2026 Election Different?
The 2026 election introduced several major reforms.
The most visible change was the increase in the number of Members from 60 to 96.
The second major change was the creation of 16 constituencies, each electing six Members.
The third change was the introduction of a closed proportional list voting system.
The fourth change was that voters received only one ballot paper and one vote.
These reforms meant that the 2026 election was fundamentally different from previous Senedd elections. Previously, voters had two votes and the Senedd combined constituency and regional representation. Under the new system, all Members were elected through the proportional list system.
The reforms were designed to create a larger legislature and a proportional system in which the number of seats won by parties or independent candidates is more closely connected to their share of the vote.
The New Size of the Senedd
From the 2026 election, the Senedd has 96 Members.
This represents an increase of 36 Members compared with the previous 60-member Senedd.
The larger membership was introduced alongside the new constituency structure and voting system.
The increase means that each constituency has six Members instead of one directly elected constituency Member under the previous system.
The larger Senedd also changes how representation works. Rather than having one constituency representative and additional regional representatives, voters now have six Members representing their constituency.
The change was intended to support the larger legislative responsibilities of the Senedd and create a different model of representation across Wales.
The 16 New Senedd Constituencies
Wales was divided into 16 new Senedd constituencies for the 2026 election.
Each constituency elects six Members.
The new constituencies were created by pairing the 32 UK Parliament constituencies in Wales. The boundary process also considered factors such as local authority boundaries, transport links, roads, rivers and other geographical features.
This produced larger constituencies than those used in previous Senedd elections.
The new structure means that every voter in Wales has six elected Members representing their constituency rather than one constituency Member.
The new constituency system was therefore closely connected to the new proportional voting system.
The Closed Proportional List System
The 2026 election used a closed proportional list system.
This is a form of proportional representation in which the number of seats won by each party broadly reflects the percentage of votes received.
Under the system, political parties submit lists of candidates for each constituency. Voters vote for a party rather than selecting a particular candidate from the party list.
Independent candidates can also stand.
When a party wins seats, candidates are elected in the order in which they appear on that party’s list.
For example, if a party wins three seats in a constituency, the first three candidates on its list are elected.
The system therefore gives political parties an important role in determining the order of their candidates before the election.
How the One-Vote System Worked
Every eligible voter received one ballot paper.
The ballot paper contained the political parties standing in the constituency as well as any independent candidates.
The voter marked an X next to their preferred party or independent candidate.
There was no separate constituency and regional vote.
This was one of the biggest differences between the 2026 election and previous Senedd elections.
Voters did not have to decide how to divide their support between two different ballots. Instead, their single vote contributed directly to the allocation of the six seats available in their constituency.
How Seats Were Allocated
Seats were allocated using the D’Hondt formula.
The system begins with the total votes received by each party or independent candidate.
The first seat goes to the party or candidate with the highest vote total.
After a party wins a seat, its vote total is divided by two for the next round. After it wins a second seat, its original vote total is divided by three, and so on.
The calculations continue until all six seats in the constituency have been allocated.
This process creates a proportional distribution of seats.
A party receiving a large share of votes can win several seats, while a party with a smaller share may win one seat if it receives enough support.
Independent candidates can also win seats under the same allocation process.
Example of the D’Hondt Method
Imagine that five parties or candidates receive different vote totals in a six-seat constituency.
The candidate or party with the highest initial vote total receives the first seat.
That party’s vote total is then divided by two.
The next highest calculated total receives the second seat.
If the same party receives the second seat, its original vote total is subsequently divided by three for the next calculation.
This continues until all six seats have been filled.
The method means that winning a seat reduces a party’s effective total for subsequent rounds, allowing other parties to compete for the remaining seats.
The system therefore produces a proportional result while ensuring that exactly six Members are elected from each constituency.
What Did Voters See on the Ballot Paper?
The ballot paper used in the 2026 election was designed around the new single-vote system.
Political parties were listed on the ballot paper, along with any independent candidates.
Where a political party was standing candidates, voters could see the party name and the list of candidates associated with that party.
However, voters did not select an individual candidate within the party list.
Instead, they marked an X next to their chosen political party.
If a voter preferred an independent candidate, they could mark an X next to that candidate.
The ballot paper therefore required only one choice.
Who Could Vote in the Senedd Election?
To vote in the Senedd election, a person needed to be registered to vote in Wales and meet the eligibility requirements.
Eligible voters had to be aged 16 or over on polling day.
The franchise included British and Irish citizens, qualifying Commonwealth citizens, qualifying EU citizens and other qualifying foreign citizens living in Wales.
This means that the Senedd electorate was not limited exclusively to British citizens.
The inclusion of 16- and 17-year-olds was also an important characteristic of the election. Wales allows eligible young people in this age group to vote in Senedd elections.
Voting Age in Wales
The voting age for Senedd elections is 16.
This meant eligible 16- and 17-year-olds could participate in the 2026 election.
For many young people, the 2026 election was an important first opportunity to vote in a nationwide Welsh election.
Young voters followed the same registration and polling procedures as other eligible voters.
The inclusion of younger voters also meant that schools, community organisations and electoral authorities placed particular emphasis on helping first-time voters understand the new electoral system.
Registering to Vote
Registration was required before a person could vote.
For the 2026 Senedd election, the deadline to register was 11:59 p.m. on Monday, 20 April.
People could register online or use a paper registration form.
A voter who had moved house needed to make sure that their electoral registration details reflected their current circumstances.
The electoral register is maintained by Electoral Registration Officers working within local authorities.
Registering before the deadline was essential because voters could not simply arrive at a polling station and register on election day.
Photo ID Requirements
Voters did not need to show photo identification when voting in person at the 2026 Senedd election.
This was different from certain elections in England where photo ID requirements apply.
A voter arriving at a polling station in Wales for the Senedd election could therefore complete the voting process without presenting photographic identification.
The poll card provided information about the polling station but was not itself a requirement for voting.
The absence of a photo ID requirement was one of the practical features that distinguished the Senedd election from some other UK elections.
Voting at a Polling Station
Polling stations opened at 7:00 a.m. and closed at 10:00 p.m. on 7 May 2026.
Before polling day, voters received poll cards containing information about where they needed to vote.
Voters could only vote at the polling station assigned to them.
At the polling station, staff checked the electoral register and issued the ballot paper.
The voter then entered a private polling booth and marked an X next to the political party or independent candidate they wanted to support.
After completing the ballot, the voter placed it into the designated ballot box.
Polling station staff could explain the voting process but could not tell voters which political choice to make.
What If You Were in the Queue at 10 p.m.?
Polling stations were scheduled to close at 10:00 p.m.
However, voters who were already in the queue at 10:00 p.m. were allowed to vote.
This rule was important for people who arrived shortly before closing time.
Voters were nevertheless encouraged to arrive early enough to avoid unnecessary delays.
The 15-hour polling period gave voters considerable flexibility to vote before or after work, school or other commitments.
Postal Voting
Postal voting was available to eligible voters who preferred or needed to vote by post.
A postal voter received their ballot paper before polling day and completed the voting process remotely.
For the 2026 election, applications for postal votes and postal-proxy votes had to be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, 21 April.
Postal voters needed to follow the instructions included with their voting pack.
The completed ballot paper and accompanying postal voting documentation had to be returned according to the applicable instructions.
Voters using postal voting were advised to allow enough time for their ballot to arrive before the counting process.
Proxy Voting
Proxy voting allowed an eligible voter to appoint another person to vote on their behalf.
This could be useful for people who were unable to attend their polling station.
The ordinary deadline for proxy applications was 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, 28 April.
Emergency proxy applications could be made on polling day in specific circumstances, with the deadline set at 5:00 p.m. on 7 May.
The person appointed as proxy had to meet the relevant legal requirements.
Proxy voting arrangements therefore needed to be made carefully and before the appropriate deadline.
Accessibility at Polling Stations
Election officials were required to make reasonable arrangements to help disabled voters participate in the election.
Polling stations could provide accessibility equipment and assistance designed to help voters complete their ballot independently.
Polling station staff were available to explain the voting procedure.
The Electoral Commission also provided guidance to polling station staff concerning accessibility.
Accessible voting was an important part of ensuring that eligible voters could participate regardless of disability or other access requirements.
Candidates in the 2026 Election
Candidates could stand either as representatives of political parties or as independent candidates.
Candidates had to meet the legal eligibility requirements for standing in the election.
A candidate had to be at least 18 years old and meet the citizenship and registration requirements established under Welsh electoral law.
Political parties submitted lists of candidates for each constituency.
The order of candidates on each party’s list was important because the election used a closed-list system.
If a party won three seats, the first three candidates on that party’s list would become Members.
Political Party Lists
Party lists were central to the new electoral system.
Each party standing in a constituency submitted a list of candidates.
Voters selected the party rather than an individual candidate on that list.
After the votes were counted and seats allocated, the candidates at the top of the successful party’s list were elected first.
For example, if a party won two seats, the first and second candidates on its list were elected.
If the party won four seats, the first four candidates were elected.
This meant that the order established by each party before polling day had a direct effect on which candidates entered the Senedd.
Independent Candidates
The new system also allowed independent candidates to stand.
An independent candidate was not standing under a political party’s name.
If an independent candidate received enough votes to secure one of the six seats available in the constituency, that candidate could be elected.
Independent candidates therefore had an opportunity to compete directly against political parties within the proportional system.
The presence of independent candidates meant that voters were not limited to choosing among party lists.
New Constituency Boundaries
The new Senedd constituencies were created as part of the electoral reforms.
Wales has 32 UK Parliament constituencies, which were paired to create 16 Senedd constituencies.
The boundary process also considered geographical and community factors.
This produced constituencies designed to reflect existing local connections while allowing six Members to be elected from each area.
Because the boundaries changed before the 2026 election, voters were encouraged to check their new constituency rather than assuming that their previous Senedd constituency remained unchanged.
Why the Boundary Changes Mattered
Boundary changes affected both voters and candidates.
Some voters who had previously belonged to one Senedd constituency were placed in a new constituency.
The number of representatives for each constituency also changed substantially.
Under the previous system, a constituency generally had one constituency Member. Under the new system, each constituency elects six Members.
This means that voters now have multiple Members representing their area.
The new boundaries were therefore not merely geographical changes. They were connected to the fundamental structure of the new Senedd.
The Role of the Senedd
The Senedd has authority over devolved matters in Wales.
Education and health are major examples of areas influenced by Welsh devolved government.
The Senedd also has responsibilities connected with culture and certain tax matters.
The institution makes laws within its powers, agrees Welsh taxes and holds the Welsh Government to account.
The UK Parliament continues to control reserved matters.
Understanding this division is important because the Senedd election concerns the composition of the Welsh devolved legislature rather than the UK Parliament.
Devolved and Reserved Powers
Devolution does not mean that every policy area in Wales is controlled by the Senedd.
Certain matters remain reserved to Westminster.
The UK Parliament retains responsibility for areas such as defence, foreign affairs and immigration.
The Senedd has authority over various domestic policy areas that have been devolved.
The precise division of powers can be complex, but voters can generally distinguish between Welsh devolved responsibilities and reserved UK-wide matters.
This distinction is useful when assessing the responsibilities of Senedd Members and the Welsh Government.
Campaigning Before the Election
Campaigning began well before polling day.
Political parties and independent candidates presented their policies and arguments to voters through campaign events, media appearances, printed materials and online communication.
The regulated period for the 2026 Senedd election began on 7 January 2026 and ended on polling day.
During this period, political parties and independent candidates were subject to spending and reporting rules.
These rules were designed to provide transparency around election campaign finance.
Election Spending Rules
Candidates and political parties were subject to spending limits during the regulated period.
For an individual candidate, the spending limit was £52,500.
Political party spending limits were calculated according to the number of constituencies being contested and the number of candidates included on party lists.
Campaign spending regulations are designed to ensure that election campaigns operate within established legal limits.
Political parties and candidates also have reporting responsibilities concerning spending and donations.
Counting the Votes
The counting process began on Friday, 8 May 2026.
Counts were required to start between 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., with Returning Officers given flexibility concerning verification arrangements.
The first stage involved bringing postal and polling-station ballot boxes to count venues.
Officials then verified the number of ballot papers.
After verification, votes were counted and the results were calculated according to the new proportional system.
The Returning Officer then declared the elected Members for the constituency.
The counting procedure was therefore different from previous Senedd elections because all six seats in each constituency were allocated under the new system.
How Results Were Declared
Each of Wales’s 16 constituencies had six seats.
Once the votes were counted, the D’Hondt calculation determined how those six seats were distributed.
If a political party won enough votes to secure several seats, candidates were elected in the order in which they appeared on the party list.
If an independent candidate secured a seat, that individual was elected directly.
The result was then formally declared by the relevant Returning Officer.
The process provided a clear final allocation of all 96 Senedd seats.
Turnout in the 2026 Election
The Electoral Commission reported that turnout in the 2026 Senedd election was 51.6%.
According to the Commission, this was higher than at all previous Senedd and Welsh Assembly elections.
The 2026 election also saw many 16- and 17-year-olds participating in a Senedd election for the first time.
The turnout figure provides a measure of participation but does not by itself explain why individual voters chose to participate or not participate.
The Commission said it would conduct a wider assessment of the election, including voter satisfaction, electoral integrity, safety and the impact of misinformation and disinformation.
The Results and the New Senedd
The 2026 election produced 96 new Members of the Senedd.
The larger legislature created a different parliamentary structure from the previous 60-member Senedd.
Following the election, Members travelled to the Senedd to take their oaths or make an affirmation.
The first meeting of the Seventh Senedd took place on 12 May 2026.
At that meeting, the Senedd elected its Presiding Officer and Deputy Presiding Officer.
The new Senedd then moved into the process of establishing its committees and determining its parliamentary business.
Choosing the First Minister
The election of Senedd Members does not automatically determine the First Minister.
After the election, the Senedd must nominate a Member to become First Minister.
The deadline for nomination of the First Minister following the 2026 election was 3 June.
If more than one candidate was nominated, Members voted according to the parliamentary procedure.
Once the Senedd nominated a First Minister, the appointment was formally made by the King.
The First Minister then formed the Welsh Government and appointed Ministers and Deputy Ministers.
This process demonstrates the difference between electing the Senedd and forming the Welsh Government.
The Seventh Senedd
The 2026 election created the Seventh Senedd.
The Seventh Senedd has 96 Members and operates under the new electoral arrangements introduced for the election.
The first months after an election involve several important administrative and parliamentary tasks.
These include electing the Presiding Officer, appointing the Deputy Presiding Officer, nominating the First Minister, establishing committees and creating the structures required for the Senedd to carry out its work.
The larger membership also creates additional organisational requirements for the institution.
The Role of the Presiding Officer
The Presiding Officer, known in Welsh as the Llywydd, chairs proceedings in the Senedd.
The Presiding Officer is elected by Members of the Senedd.
The Deputy Presiding Officer supports the Presiding Officer and can chair proceedings when required.
The first meeting of the Seventh Senedd included the election of these office holders.
The Presiding Officer has an important role in ensuring that Senedd proceedings are conducted according to the institution’s rules.
The Role of Senedd Members
Members of the Senedd have several responsibilities.
They participate in debates and votes, examine proposed legislation and scrutinise the Welsh Government.
They also represent people in their constituencies.
Because each constituency now has six Members, voters can have several MSs representing their local area.
Members may also participate in committees that examine specific policy areas or scrutinise government activity.
The role therefore extends beyond voting in the main chamber.
Committees in the Senedd
Senedd committees are important for detailed scrutiny.
Committees examine legislation, government policies, public spending and other issues within their areas of responsibility.
The larger 96-member Senedd requires a committee structure capable of covering the full range of devolved responsibilities.
Following the election, the new Senedd established the committees necessary for its work.
Committees provide an additional layer of scrutiny beyond debates in the main chamber.
How the 2026 System Changed Representation
The old Senedd electoral system gave voters two votes.
One vote was used to elect a constituency Member and another was used for regional Members.
The new system replaced this arrangement with one vote.
The entire constituency now functions as a six-member electoral area.
The result is a simpler ballot for voters but a different relationship between voters and individual candidates.
Instead of choosing a specific constituency candidate, voters choose a party or independent candidate.
For party voters, the party determines the order of candidates on its list.
Advantages of Understanding the New System
Understanding the new electoral system helps voters use their ballot correctly.
A voter who previously participated in Senedd elections might expect two ballot papers, but in 2026 there was only one.
The voter also needed to understand that selecting a party meant supporting the party list rather than choosing a particular individual candidate.
The order of candidates on the list determined who would take seats if the party won multiple seats.
The system therefore placed greater importance on party selection and the composition of party lists.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
One common mistake would be expecting two ballot papers.
Another would be attempting to vote for an individual candidate within a party list.
The correct procedure was to mark one X next to the political party or independent candidate of the voter’s choice.
Voters also needed to ensure that they used the polling station assigned to them.
People using postal or proxy voting needed to meet the relevant deadlines.
Understanding these simple procedural requirements helped voters avoid invalidating their ballot or missing the opportunity to vote.
What Happened After the Election?
After the votes were counted, the new Members took their places in the Seventh Senedd.
The first meeting took place on 12 May 2026.
The Senedd then moved through the process of electing its Presiding Officer and Deputy Presiding Officer, establishing parliamentary committees and nominating the First Minister.
The election therefore initiated a broader constitutional and parliamentary process.
The Welsh Government remained in place during the transition until the new First Minister was appointed and the new government structure was established.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the Welsh Senedd Election 2026?
The election was held on Thursday, 7 May 2026.
How many Members are in the new Senedd?
The Senedd now has 96 Members.
How many constituencies are there?
Wales has 16 Senedd constituencies under the new system.
How many Members does each constituency elect?
Each constituency elects six Members.
How many votes did each voter have?
Each voter had one vote and one ballot paper.
What voting system was used?
The election used a closed proportional list system based on the D’Hondt method.
Could voters choose an individual candidate from a party list?
No. Voters selected a political party. The candidates were elected in the order in which they appeared on the party’s list.
Could independent candidates stand?
Yes. Independent candidates could stand and could win seats if they received enough votes.
Could 16-year-olds vote?
Yes. Eligible voters aged 16 and 17 could vote in the Senedd election.
Was photo ID required?
No. Voters did not need to show photo identification when voting in person at a Senedd election.
What was the registration deadline?
The deadline was 11:59 p.m. on Monday, 20 April 2026.
What was the postal vote deadline?
The deadline for postal and postal-proxy applications was 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, 21 April 2026.
What was the proxy vote deadline?
The deadline for ordinary proxy applications was 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, 28 April 2026.
When did polling stations close?
Polling stations closed at 10:00 p.m. on Thursday, 7 May 2026.
When were the votes counted?
Counts were conducted during the daytime on Friday, 8 May 2026, with counts required to begin between 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
How many people voted?
Turnout was 51.6%, according to the Electoral Commission.
Why was the 2026 election different?
It was the first Senedd election using the new 96-member structure, 16 six-member constituencies and closed proportional list voting system.
Conclusion
The Welsh Senedd Election 2026 was a major change in the democratic and electoral structure of Wales. Held on 7 May 2026, it was the first Senedd election conducted under the new 96-member model and the new closed proportional list voting system.
The most important change for voters was the move from two votes to one. Every eligible voter received one ballot paper and selected either a political party or an independent candidate.
Wales was divided into 16 new Senedd constituencies, with each constituency electing six Members. Seats were allocated using the D’Hondt formula, with candidates from successful party lists elected according to their position on those lists.
The election also maintained Wales’s distinctive franchise, allowing eligible 16- and 17-year-olds to vote. Qualifying foreign nationals could also vote if they met the relevant requirements. Voters did not need photo identification to vote in person.
The election timetable included several important deadlines. Voter registration closed on 20 April, postal vote applications closed on 21 April and ordinary proxy applications closed on 28 April. Polling stations were open from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on 7 May, while counting took place on 8 May.
The Electoral Commission reported turnout of 51.6%, which was higher than at previous Senedd and Welsh Assembly elections. The election resulted in 96 new Members and began the Seventh Senedd.
The new system changed not only the ballot paper but also the relationship between voters, political parties and elected representatives. Every voter now has six Members representing their constituency, while party lists play a central role in determining which candidates take the available seats.
Understanding these changes is essential for anyone researching Welsh politics, elections or the operation of the Senedd after 2026. The 2026 election marked a new stage in Welsh devolution and established the electoral framework through which the 96-member Senedd would represent Wales in the years that followed.
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