Why do Senedd elections matter?

Page updated on: 23/03/2026

The Welsh Government is responsible for deciding how Wales is run. They choose what to spend public money on and decide how to deliver public services.

It is where Welsh laws are passed and where some Welsh taxes are set. Members of the Senedd look at the work of the Welsh Government and question its decisions and spending in the Senedd.

The Senedd looks closely at the work of the Welsh Government and questions its ministers. It examines government plans and suggests changes. Senedd members are also able to raise issues in the Senedd that are important to you.

The Senedd is responsible for services such as health, education, transport.

Further information regarding the role of the Senedd can be found here.

 

Candidates and Agents

The electoral commission provides guidance that aims to provide practical advice for political parties, party list candidates and individual candidates.

More information

 

Who can vote in this election

To vote in any election in the UK, you must be registered to vote (see below how to do this).

When registered, the following can vote in the Senedd Election on 7 May 2026:

  • Aged 16 years old and above
  • British, Irish or qualifying Commonwealth citizens
  • EU citizens
  • Qualifying foreign citizen (a qualifying foreign citizen is a citizen of another country who has permission to enter or stay in the UK, or who does not need such permission).

For further information please visit the Electoral Commission website.

You do not need Voter ID to be able to vote at this election.

 

Register to vote

To vote in the Senedd election, you must be registered by Monday, 20 April 2026.

You can register to vote online. It will only take 5 minutes to register.

To register you will be asked for the following details:

  • your full name,
  • your postal address,
  • your date of birth, and
  • your national insurance number (if you are 16 years of age or above). It helps to have your National Insurance number to hand, you can find it on your payslip, P60, or letters about tax, pensions and benefits.

If you cannot provide any of these details for any reason, we may need to contact you for further information.

If you have provided your email address, you should get a confirmation e-mail after you have made an application to register.

If you have not provided an email address, you will get a letter in the post.

To register to vote, you must be aged 14 or over (but you can’t vote until you’re 16 or 18 depending on the election) and one of the following:

  • a UK or Irish citizen
  • a qualifying Commonwealth citizen living in the UK
  • a qualifying EU citizen living in the UK
  • a qualifying foreign citizen

For further information, please visit the Electoral Commission website.

Don’t leave registration until the last minute, just in case you have any problems.

More information on registering to vote

 

Deciding how to vote

There are many ways in which you can vote if you are registered to vote.

More information on how you can vote

 

 

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.

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