Your Senedd is changing
The election on 7 May 2026 will mark the biggest change to the Senedd for 25 years. Voters will elect 96 Members to new constituencies, using a different voting system.
With one year to go, here’s five key things you need to know about:
- 96 Members
From the election in May 2026, the Senedd will have 96 Members instead of 60.
- New voting system
Everyone aged 16 and over will have one vote, to choose a political party or independent candidate. On election day your ballot paper will show the full list of candidates in your constituency, so you can see who is standing in your area. - New constituencies
Wales will have 16 constituencies. Each constituency will elect six Members.
- New rules
Anyone standing for election must live in Wales.
- More frequent elections
Senedd elections will take place every four years.
Why are the changes needed?
Since it was set up 25 years ago, the Senedd has had the same number of Members although its responsibilities have grown.
It can now make laws and raise taxes – decisions which affect the lives of every single person in Wales.
Having more Members will give the Senedd greater ability to look at and challenge the Welsh Government’s plans and spending on important topics like hospitals, education, and transport.
Having 96 Members will also bring the Senedd in line with other countries of a similar size to Wales, like Scotland which has 129 Members and Northern Ireland which has 90.
Why is this important?
Wales has its own parliament - the Senedd. This means the Senedd, not the UK Parliament, makes laws for Wales in many areas including:
- hospitals and GPs
- schools
- road and rail transport
- farming and animals
- the environment
- the Welsh language
Welsh laws look at the situation in Wales, which might be different to other parts of the UK.
Laws passed by the Senedd which apply to Wales but not England include the introduction of charges for single-use carrier bags (the first country in the UK to do so), the 20mph speed limit and the smacking ban.
This means the Members you elect in May 2026 have the power to make decisions about things that affect everyone in Wales.
Where can I find out more?
General information
New constituencies