Voting in a Senedd election is your chance to choose who represents you and your community in the Senedd.
At a Senedd election, people in Wales vote for a political party or independent candidate to represent their local area (constituency) in the Welsh Parliament.
These elected members make decisions and laws on issues that affect Wales, such as health, education, and transport. Members are elected for four years, until the next Senedd election takes place.
When is the next Senedd election?
The next Senedd election is expected to be held in May 2030.
What is my constituency?
Wales is split into 16 areas, called constituencies.
Each constituency has six Members.
The Senedd has 96 Members in total, elected from across the country to represent everyone in Wales.
You can find your constituency by entering your postcode into our constituency finder map.
Who can vote?
If you are aged 16 and over and live in Wales, you are eligible to vote in a Senedd election.
To be able to vote, you need to be registered.
Registering to vote is quick and easy.
How are Members of the Senedd elected?
At a Senedd election, everyone aged 16 and over can cast one vote for the party or independent candidate they want to represent their constituency.
Members are elected using a voting system called a ‘closed proportional list system.'
This system means the number of seats a party or independent candidate wins more closely reflects the percentage of votes they get.
For more information, see How are Members of the Senedd elected?
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?
You can view previous Senedd election results on our website.
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 constituency.
Who chooses the First Minister?
Members of the Senedd must nominate a Member to become First Minister within 28 days of a Senedd election.
Nominations usually happen in the first Plenary meeting after the election.
Once appointed, 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.
Who are my Members of the Senedd now?
Everyone in Wales is represented by six Members of the Senedd.
You can contact any of them – in person, online, or by phone – no matter who you voted for. They all represent you equally.
