Unpacking the 2026 Senedd Election: New Voting Rules and What They Mean for You

On May 7, 2026, Welsh voters will face a pivotal moment in democracy as they head to the polls for the Senedd election, marking possibly the most consequential election since the establishment of the National Assembly for Wales in 1999. This election will introduce significant reforms to the electoral system, fundamentally changing how representatives are elected.

Currently, the Senedd Cymru comprises 60 Members, with 40 elected via the first-past-the-post system in individual constituencies, and 20 regional representatives elected proportionally from five regions. The upcoming election will revolutionize this structure. Wales is set to transition to 16 larger constituencies, each represented by six Members of the Senedd (MSs), increasing the total number of MSs from 60 to 96.

A major change entails the replacement of the first-past-the-post system with a D’Hondt proportional representation system. Under this new system, voters will now cast only one vote for a political party rather than two, eliminating the option to vote for an individual candidate. Parties will present lists of ranked candidates, and the number of candidates elected from each party will depend on the proportion of votes they receive. This method, advocated by Labour and Plaid Cymru, aims to better capture and represent diverse views within Wales.

Critics, however, argue that this reform centralizes too much power within political parties, stripping voters of the ability to choose individual representatives. In an exciting development for voter engagement, individuals aged 16 and over in Wales will be eligible to vote, expanding access to younger demographics.

Voter registration procedures are also evolving. While eligibility still requires individuals to register themselves, a new law may facilitate automatic registration, aiming to simplify the process and ensuring a more accurate electoral roll. Pilot schemes for automatic registration are currently taking place in certain regions of Wales.

This election is not just about changing the number of votes; it signifies a crucial shift in how democracy operates in Wales, urging citizens to engage with and consider the implications of these reforms.