Voting in a Senedd election is your chance to choose who represents you and your community in the Senedd.
In the 2026 election, you will vote to choose a political party or an independent candidate to represent your local area (constituency). The people elected will represent you in the Senedd for four years.
↓ When is the next Senedd election?
↓ How will Members be elected?
↓ Where can I see the election results?
↓ Can I vote for the First Minister?
↓ Who chooses the First Minister?
↓ How is the Welsh Government formed?
↓ What happens if no political party wins a majority of seats?
When is the next Senedd election?
The next Senedd election will be held on 7 May 2026.
What is my constituency?
At the 2026 election, Wales will be split into 16 areas, called constituencies.
Six Members will be elected in each constituency.
In total, 96 Members will be elected to the Senedd from across the country to represent everyone in Wales.
The Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru are responsible for creating the new constituency areas. You can find out more on their website.
Who can vote?
If you are aged 16 and over and live in Wales, you are eligible to vote in the Senedd election.
To be able to vote, you need to be registered.
Registering to vote is quick and easy.
How will Members be elected?
The 2026 election will use a new voting system called a ‘closed proportional list system’. This means the number of seats a party or independent candidate wins will more closely reflect the percentage of votes they get.
- Political parties will prepare a list of up to eight candidates for each constituency. Independent candidates can also stand for election.
- On election day you will be given a ballot paper and will vote for the party or independent candidate you want to represent you in the Senedd.
- Your ballot paper will show the full list of candidates in your constituency, so you can still see who is standing for each party.
- If a party wins enough votes, they will win one or more seats in the Senedd. So if a party wins three seats in a constituency, the top three people on their list will be elected to those seats.
- If an independent candidate wins enough votes, they will also win a seat in the Senedd.
- Seats are allocated based on the share of votes each party or independent candidate gets.
For a more in-depth look at how this works, see our blog post: What is the D’Hondt formula and how does it work?
What happens after I vote?
After the polling stations close, the votes are counted.
Election counts are managed locally. When the results are announced depends on each individual area. Results will usually be announced as soon as possible after the count has been completed.
Where can I see the election results?
Election results will be published on the Senedd website once they are available.
Can I vote for the First Minister?
You cannot vote for a new First Minister.
In a Senedd election, you vote for the political party or independent candidate you want to represent your local area (constituency).
Who chooses the First Minister?
The Senedd must nominate a Member of the Senedd for appointment as First Minister within 28 days of a Senedd election.
Nominations usually happen in the first Plenary meeting after the election. If there are two or more nominations, Members will vote on who they want to be First Minister. The Presiding Officer then announces the result to the Senedd, and recommends to the Monarch that the nominated Member is appointed as First Minister.
After nomination, the First Minister will appoint Cabinet Secretaries and Ministers to work in Welsh Government departments. The most senior of these attend Welsh Government Cabinet meetings.
For further information see our blog post: How is the First Minister of Wales nominated?
How is the Welsh Government formed?
Usually, the party that wins the most seats in a Senedd election will form the Welsh Government.
What happens if no political party wins a majority of seats?
If no party wins a majority of seats at the election, then two or more parties may decide to work together or form a coalition government.
This is likely to happen if no party wins more than half the seats.
