Voters across Wales are being urged to make sure they are registered ahead of the Senedd Cymru Election 2026, which will take place on Thursday 7 May.
The upcoming election marks a significant moment in Welsh political history, with major changes to how Members of the Senedd are elected set to come into force for the first time.
Since devolution was introduced in the late 1990s, Wales’ system of government has evolved considerably. What began as the National Assembly has developed into today’s Senedd, a fully-fledged Welsh Parliament with responsibility for key areas of everyday life.
Despite these changes, elections have remained largely consistent, with 60 members elected through a mixed system of first past the post and proportional representation. Labour has topped every election since 1999, governing either alone, in coalition, or with the support of other parties.
However, the 2026 election will break from that tradition.
The most notable change is the removal of first past the post, with the new system based entirely on proportional representation. This is expected to reshape how votes translate into seats across Wales.
Under the new arrangements, the Senedd will expand from 60 to 96 members. The current structure of 40 constituencies and 20 regional seats will be replaced by 16 larger constituencies, each electing six members. The aim is to ensure that every vote carries equal weight, potentially giving smaller parties a greater opportunity to gain representation.
With these changes in place, residents are being reminded of key deadlines to ensure they can take part in the vote.
Anyone wishing to have their say must be registered to vote by midnight on Monday 20 April. Registration can be completed online via the UK Government website.
All registered voters aged 16 or over on election day are eligible to vote, along with qualifying foreign citizens. Unlike some other elections, voters will not be required to show photo ID at polling stations.
Those unable to attend in person can apply for a postal or proxy vote.
If you’re not already registered, visit www.gov.uk/register-to-vote and fill in your details.
Applications for postal votes must be submitted by 5pm on Tuesday 21 April, while proxy vote applications must be received by 5pm on Tuesday 28 April.
You can download the postal vote application form here.
With a new voting system and an expanded Senedd, the 2026 election is set to be one of the most significant in Wales since devolution began, offering voters a fresh opportunity to shape the country’s political future.
