Senedd Elections 2026
Page updated on: 23/03/2026
Voting confidence starts here - vote.wales is the one place that explains everything you need to know about the Senedd election on 7 May 2026. Turn your voting confusion into voting confidence.
The next Senedd Elections will take place on Thursday 7 May, 2026. As a result of the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Act we will see a number of changes, primarily:
Current system |
System from 2026 |
|---|---|
| 60 Members in total - 40 representing constituencies and 20 representing larger regions. | ***96 Members in total – 16 constituencies being represented by 6 Members each. |
| One vote in the constituency, one vote in the regional list. | One vote in the constituency. |
| People choose an individual candidate at the voting booth for the constituency vote and a political party (or independent) for the regional vote. | Unless voting for an independent candidate, people choose a political party to vote for, with the elected representatives coming from lists decided by parties. The names of all candidates will appear on the ballot paper. |
| Senedd elections every 5 years. | Senedd elections every 4 years. |
| Members/candidates are not required to be resident in Wales. | Members/candidates must be registered to vote in Wales. |
What you need to know can be found on the Senedd Cymru's Countdown to the 2026 Senedd Election: Five things you need to know page.
Wales will have 16 constituencies instead of the current 40. Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru created the new constituencies for Wales and the Senedd will have 96 Members instead of 60. Each constituency will elect six Members.
For Carmarthenshire the commission determined that the Senedd constituency would combine the UK Parliamentary constituencies of Caerfyrddin and Llanelli with the designated name of Sir Gaerfyrddin.
You can find more information on the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru website 2026 Review: Final Determinations page.
See the map of the new 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 party or independent candidate gets.
Key dates
- The deadline for registering to vote is 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 wish to vote by post or by postal proxy, the deadline to apply is 5.00pm, Tuesday, 21 April 2026;
- If you wish to vote by proxy (not emergency proxy), the deadline to apply is 5.00pm, Tuesday, 28 April 2026;
- Emergency proxy votes may be available from after 5.00pm, Tuesday, 28 April 2026 until 5.00pm on 7 May 2026 but only under specific extenuating circumstances, find details on the Electoral Commission website or telephone 01267 228889.
- Polling Day is Thursday, 7 May 2026. Polling Stations will be open from 7.00am to 10.00pm.
If you need further information contact Electoral Services by e-mail on electoralservices@carmarthenshire.gov.uk, by phone on 01267 228889 or by post to Electoral Services, Carmarthenshire County Council, County Hall, Carmarthen SA31 1JP.
