The way you vote in Senedd elections is changing
You’ll see some changes at the next Senedd election in 2026, to make your vote count more than ever.
Let's explore these changes to understand how the new system will work.
A new voting system
The new system is 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.
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 area.
- Political parties will list up to eight candidates for each constituency. Independent candidates can also stand for election.
- You will vote for one party or one independent candidate.
- The seats are allocated based on the share of votes each party or independent candidate gets.
- For example, if a party wins three seats, the top three people on their list will be elected to those seats.
- 96 Members of the Senedd will be elected in total.
How does this change my vote?
A formula called the D’Hondt method is used to make sure seats are allocated to closely reflect their share of the vote.
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.
This way, your vote helps decide how many seats your chosen party or independent candidate has.
How is this system different?
In previous Senedd elections, proportional representation was used to elect your regional Members of the Senedd.
However, a 'first past the post' system was used to elect your constituency Members. This is also the system used in UK General Elections, to elect your MP.
Under this system the person with the most votes wins. This means that only the votes for the person who won contributed to the final result.
How does the change make my vote stronger?
At the Senedd election in 2026, all seats will be allocated based on the share of votes each party or independent candidate gets.
The new system means that your vote is more likely to help decide the overall result, because seats in the Senedd will be allocated based on the total share of the vote.
Which means that the final make-up of the Senedd will better represent voters’ choice across Wales.
Want to find out more? Read our in depth look at the D’Hondt formula and how it works.
