Wales is voting on Thursday 7 May.
Whether you’re voting for the first time or need a refresher, here’s a straightforward guide about what happens when you go to vote in person.
Before You Arrive
If you’re aged 16 or over, and live in Wales, you can vote in the Senedd election. But first you need to register.
Registering online is simple and only takes five minutes.
Once you have registered you will be sent a polling card. This will tell you where you need to go to vote (your polling station) on the day of the election.
Polling stations are usually set up in familiar community buildings such as local schools, churches, or community halls. Stations will be open from 07:00 to 22:00, giving you plenty of time to cast your vote.
There’s no need to bring your polling card with you, and ID is not required to vote in a Senedd election. You can still vote even if you’ve misplaced your card.
When You Arrive
When you enter the polling station, staff will greet you and ask for your name and address. They’ll check that you’re on the electoral register for that area. Once confirmed, they will hand you your ballot paper.
Polling stations provide pens and pencils, and if you’re unsure about anything, staff are there to help.
Casting Your Vote
You’ll take your ballot paper to a private polling booth. This ensures that everyone can vote freely and confidentially.
On the ballot paper, you will see the list of political parties and independent candidates standing in your constituency. You have one vote, which you cast by marking your chosen party or independent candidate.
Clear instructions are provided on the ballot paper, and example ballot layouts are available if you’re curious about what to expect.
After You’ve Voted
Once you’ve made your choice, you fold your ballot paper and post it into the sealed ballot box. From there, your vote will be securely transported to the local count after polls close at 22:00.
Votes at the Senedd election will be counted during the daytime on the day after the election, Friday 8 May 2026.
Election counts are managed locally, so the time that each result is announced will be different for each area.
Do I have to vote in person?
No, you do not have to vote in person. If you can’t get to a polling station, you can register in advance to vote by post, or choose someone you trust to vote on your behalf (this is called a proxy vote).
You cannot vote online.
Why should I vote?
The Senedd is the parliament of Wales. It makes laws for Wales in areas like health, schools, transport, farming, the environment and the Welsh language. Welsh laws look at the situation in Wales, which might be different to other parts of the UK.
The Members you elect will have the power to make decisions about things that affect everyone in Wales.
If you would like more information on what happens on election day, you can find out more on the Electoral Commission website.
