On this page you will find BSL videos that explain what you need to know about the Senedd Election. The content of each video is also available in text underneath.

Senedd election 2026

If you’re aged 16 or over on 7 May 2026 and live in Wales, you’re eligible to vote in the upcoming Senedd election.

In these videos we’ll be exploring the election in more detail, but here are five key things you need to know:

  • Wales has its own parliament – the Senedd. The Senedd passes laws about all sorts of things which affect your daily life in Wales.
  • Things like hospitals and GPs, schools and education, road and rail transport, farming, culture, the environment and the Welsh language.
  •  On 7 May 2026 you’ll have one vote to choose the party or independent candidate you want to represent your area in the Senedd.
  • The Members of the Senedd you elect in May 2026 have the power to make decisions that impact everyone in Wales.
  • It’s a great time to get involved. Make sure you’re registered to vote by 20 April 2026.

Why is the election important?

Wales has its own parliament – the Senedd. It is the Senedd, not the UK Parliament, which passes laws about all sorts of things which affect your daily life in Wales.

The Senedd can make laws in areas including: 

  • hospitals and GPs
  • schools
  • road and rail transport
  • farming and animals
  • the environment
  • the Welsh language

Welsh laws take account of circumstances in Wales, which might be different to other parts of the UK.

Did you know?

Wales was the first country in the UK to introduce charges for carrier bags. Other laws passed by the Senedd which only apply to Wales include the 20mph speed limit, and presumed consent for organ donation.

So the 96 Members of the Senedd you elect in May 2026 have the power to make decisions that impact everyone in Wales.

What do Members of the Senedd do?

From May 2026, the Senedd will have 96 Members.

Members of the Senedd are elected from all over Wales to represent you and your community in the Welsh Parliament.

 

In the Senedd

During term time, all Members of the Senedd meet twice a week in the Siambr – the debating chamber – for Plenary.

Plenary is where they speak on your behalf, question Welsh Government Ministers, debate and vote on important issues, and pass laws.

Most Members also sit on committees. Committees are made up of a small group of Members, from different parties, who look at specific topics or issues that affect the lives of people in Wales.

 

In your community

When they’re not working in the Senedd, most Members have a local office in their constituency or region.

As well as being politicians, they’re part of your community.

They hold drop-in sessions, called surgeries, so you can meet them and discuss local issues that concern you. You can also contact them online or over the telephone.

They will help if they can, and after hearing from you, your Member could raise your concern in the Senedd. They could ask a question or arrange a debate in Plenary.

 

Contacting your Members

You can contact any of your Members – in person, online, or by phone – no matter who you voted for. They all represent you equally.

How does the voting system work?

On 7 May 2026 you will have one vote to choose representatives for your community in the Senedd.

On your ballot paper, you’ll choose a political party or an independent candidate. 
The new voting system is called a ‘closed proportional list system’.

So each Member will be elected based on the share of votes each party or independent candidate gets.

The new system means that every vote matters, so the final make-up of the Senedd will better represent voters’ choice across Wales.

How it works

  • Wales will be divided into 16 areas for the 2026 election, called constituencies.
  • Each constituency will have six ‘seats’ in the Senedd, which means six Members will be elected in each one.
  • 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 have one 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 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 Party A gets 50% of the votes in a constituency, they will likely get three of the six seats. If Party B gets 30%, they will likely get two of the six seats. If an independent candidate has enough votes, they will also win a seat.
  • If a party wins three seats in a constituency, the top three people on their list will be elected to those seats, in order.
  • If an independent candidate has enough votes, they will also win a seat in the Senedd.


It’s a great time to get involved, and your vote matters more than ever. Make sure you’re registered to vote by 20 April 2026.

Which constituency do I live in?

At the 2026 Senedd election, Wales will be divided into 16 constituencies.

Each of the constituencies will have six Members, making a total of 96 Members elected to the Senedd.

You can find your new constituency by entering your postcode into our constituency finder map.

How were the new constituencies created?

The Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru created the new areas by pairing the 32 UK Parliament constituencies into 16 new Senedd constituencies. They also considered factors including:

  • Existing local government boundaries
  • Road and transport links
  • Geographical features such as rivers and mountains
  • Local ties (including use of the Welsh language) 

The Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru ran two public consultations on the plans, and made changes based on the feedback they received. The final boundaries were published in March 2025.

Each new constituency has one name, to be used in both Welsh and English.

Senedd constituencies for the 2026 election:

  • Bangor Conwy Môn
  • Clwyd
  • Fflint Wrecsam
  • Gwynedd Maldwyn
  • Ceredigion Penfro
  • Sir Gaerfyrddin
  • Gŵyr Abertawe
  • Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd
  • Afan Ogwr Rhondda
  • Pontypridd Cynon Merthyr
  • Blaenau Gwent Caerffili Rhymni
  • Sir Fynwy Torfaen
  • Casnewydd Islwyn
  • Caerdydd Penarth
  • Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf
  • Pen-y-bont Morgannwg

 

For information about accessible voting, visit vote.wales.

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