Voting for the first time?
Wales has its own parliament – the Senedd.
The Senedd checks the decisions and spending of the Welsh Government.
The Senedd can also pass laws about all sorts of things which affect your daily life in Wales, such as education, farming, the environment, culture, health, the Welsh language, and housing.
Register to vote!
If you’re 16 on 7 May 2026 and live in Wales you’re eligible to vote in the upcoming Senedd Elections.
In order to vote you will first need to register. You can do that here.
When you’re registered to vote, you can choose how you’d like to vote.
Your Senedd is Changing
What you need to know
From 2026, you’ll see some changes to the Senedd.
- 96 Members: From the election in May 2026, the Senedd will have 96 Members instead of 60.
- New voting system: Everyone 16+ will now have one vote, choosing a political party or independent candidate.
- New constituencies: Wales will have 16 constituencies. Each constituency will elect six Members.
- New rules: Anyone standing for election must live in Wales.
- More frequent elections: Senedd elections will take place every four years.
The Senedd Education Outreach Engagement Officer will be visiting schools throughout March to raise awareness of the upcoming Senedd Elections in May.
- 6 March - Dyffryn Taf
- 9 March - Glan y Mor
- 9 & 10 March - Coleg Sir Gâr (Graig)
- 12 March - Halliwell Conference Centre (Husting Event)
- 16 March - Coedcae
- 18 March - Bro Myrddin
Frequently Asked Questions
Registering to vote is quick and easy.
You’ll be asked for your National Insurance Number, but you can still register if you don’t have one.
Once you’re on the electoral register, you’ll receive a polling card in the post. This will give you details of where your local polling station is.
No. You must vote in person on 7 May. You cannot vote online.
If you are unable to vote in person you can register in advance to vote by post, or choose someone you trust to vote for you (by proxy).
You can go to a polling station on 7 May 2026 to cast your vote.
Polling stations are set up for the day in local buildings, such as schools or community halls across Wales. You’ll be sent a polling card before the election with details of your polling station.
They will be open from 07.00 until 22.00 to make sure as many people as possible can use their vote.
At your polling station you will be given a ballot paper. You will have one vote for the party or independent candidate you want to represent you in the Senedd.
There will be clear instructions on how to fill in your ballot paper, and the polling station staff can help if you have any questions.
You can find further information about what happens on election day on the Electoral Commission website.
You can vote without it, but it will save you time if you take it to the polling station and show it to the clerk there.
No, you do not need to bring ID to vote in a Senedd election.
No. You can also choose to vote by post, or to vote by proxy.
If you know that you won’t be able to get to the polling station on 7 May 2026, you can apply to vote by post. You don’t need to give a reason why you want to vote by post.
A proxy vote means you choose someone you trust to vote on your behalf. This can be helpful if you have a medical issue or disability that stops you going to a polling station, or if you’re planning to be abroad on election day.
