You might have heard that the next Senedd (Welsh Parliament) election will be different from the past ones.
Starting in 2026, there are changes to how you vote in the election and what you’re voting for.
Here’s a look at everything that’s happening.
What’s changing?
From 2026, you’ll see a number of changes happening to the Senedd. Here’s the most important 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 16+ will now have one vote, choosing a political party or independent candidate.
- New constituencies: Wales will have 16 constituencies. Each constituency will elect six Members.
- New rules: Anyone standing for election must live in Wales.
Why is this change happening?
In 2024, a law was passed to increase the size of the Senedd at the time of the next Welsh election in 2026.
The Senedd is the smallest parliament in the UK and one of the smallest in Europe. Increasing the number of Members to 96 will bring it more in line with other countries of a similar size to Wales, like Scotland which has 129 Members and Northern Ireland which has 90.
It is also important to remember that over the last quarter century of devolution, the Senedd has changed a lot. It now has greater powers to pass laws in many more areas which affect your daily life in Wales, and set some Welsh taxes.
Despite having much more to do, the number of Members has not changed since 1999. The 2026 election will return the Members needed to more effectively consider new laws and look at Welsh Government spending in greater detail.
This will mean better representation for you, your family and your community, with more elected Members to check the work and spending of the Welsh Government.
Why does it matter?
The Senedd is where decisions are made on important issues like hospitals, education, and transport.
It is where Welsh laws are passed and where some Welsh taxes are set.
Find out what is and isn’t devolved here.
In an election, you vote to choose representatives for your local area – your constituency. Once elected, Members of the Senedd look at the work of the Welsh Government and question its decisions and spending in the Senedd.
Find out more about how the Senedd works here.
All Members also represent their local constituency and support the people who live there with a range of issues. They might help solve the issue themselves, suggest the best place to go to for further information, or raise it in the Senedd for wider attention.
Why is this better?
One of the biggest improvements will be how, as everyone in Wales will have six Members representing them, you will have more choice over who you want to contact regarding an issue.
For example, if you want to raise an issue about something to do with the NHS you could contact a particular Member who you know is passionate about the subject. If you have concerns about agricultural issues or business policies, you might choose to contact a different Member.
Or maybe a Member has helped you with something in the past and you trust them to take a new issue forward in the right way.
You could also contact all six Members about it. The choice is yours.
Find out who your current Members are, including their roles and responsibilities and how to contact them.
