The next Senedd election will take place on Thursday, 7 May 2026 – and voters across Wales will be using a brand-new system at the ballot box.
Biggest change since devolution
For the first time, all 96 Members of the Senedd will be elected through a proportional system designed to better reflect the way people vote.
The old mix of ‘first past the post’ and regional representation is being scrapped in favour of what’s called a closed proportional list system.
How the Senedd election will work
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Wales will be divided into 16 new constituencies
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Each constituency will elect six Members of the Senedd
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Parties can put forward up to eight candidates on their lists
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Voters cast one vote for a party, or for an independent candidate
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Seats are then shared out based on the percentage of votes received
If a party secures three seats in an area, the top three candidates on its list will take them. Independent candidates can also win seats if they receive enough support.
What this means for your vote
A formula known as the D’Hondt method will be used to divide up the seats fairly. In practice, this means if Party A wins around half the vote in a constituency, it should end up with three of the six seats, while smaller parties also gain representation in line with their share.
Every vote will help shape the overall result, not just the votes for the single winner, as in the old system.
Why the change?
Supporters of the reform say it makes elections fairer and ensures the Senedd reflects how people actually voted across Wales. The move is being described as one of the most significant changes to Welsh democracy since the first Assembly election in 1999.
The next Senedd election will take place on Thursday, 7 May 2026. It will be the first to use the new closed proportional list system. Wales will be divided into 16 constituencies, each electing six Members, making a total of 96 Members of the Senedd.
The 2026 Senedd election will mark the start of a new chapter for Welsh politics, with every vote set to carry more weight than ever before.
