Counts are set to begin from 9am today following the 2026 Senedd Election, after voters across Wales headed to the polls in what could become one of the most important elections in Welsh political history.
Polling stations closed at 10pm on Thursday 7 May, with sealed ballot boxes transported overnight to counting centres across the country ahead of Friday’s count.
Unlike some previous elections, votes were not counted overnight. Instead, counting will take place throughout Friday 8 May, with the first declarations expected from around 2pm and further results announced during the afternoon and evening.
For many voters, this election feels very different from any Senedd election that has come before it.
This year marks the biggest overhaul of the Welsh electoral system since devolution began in 1999, bringing major changes to both how people vote and how Wales is governed.
The number of Members of the Senedd (MSs) has increased from 60 to 96, while the previous 40 constituencies have been replaced by 16 larger “super constituencies”.
The former system, which combined first past the post constituency seats with proportional regional seats, has now been replaced with an entirely proportional voting system using the D’Hondt method.
The changes are designed to ensure votes are reflected more proportionally in the final result, meaning every vote is expected to carry greater weight than under the previous system.
Political experts believe the new structure could make it significantly harder for one party to dominate Welsh politics, increasing the likelihood of coalition governments or formal agreements between parties in order to govern.
Since the start of devolved government in Wales, Labour has emerged as the largest party in every Senedd election. However, many believe that long-standing pattern could now face its biggest challenge yet.
Today’s count will determine the 96 politicians who will shape Welsh policy on devolved issues including health, education, transport and housing over the next four years.
The election also comes at a time when the wider political landscape across the UK appears to be shifting.
One of the biggest developments has been the growing rise of Reform UK, which has gained momentum in opinion polls and recent elections across the UK. Strong performances in local elections and council by-elections have fuelled speculation the party could secure representation in Cardiff Bay for the first time.
Meanwhile, smaller parties are also expected to benefit from the new proportional voting system, which could make it easier for parties outside the traditional political establishment to gain seats.
That includes the Green Party, with some polling suggesting the party could win representation in the Senedd for the first time.
How the Senedd system has changed
| Feature | Previous system (1999–2021) | New system (2026 onwards) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Members of the Senedd | 60 | 96 |
| Constituencies | 40 first past the post seats | 16 super constituencies |
| Regional seats | 20 across five regions | Scrapped |
| Voting system | Mixed system | Entirely proportional |
| Typical outcome | Labour-led government | Coalition governments more likely |
As counting begins across Wales, attention will now turn to whether the new electoral system delivers a dramatically different political picture for the country.
