Rhian Howells- Education and Engagement Lead
The next Senedd election takes place on 7 May 2026, and this year comes with big changes that young voters should know about. Whether you’re voting for the first time at 16 or you’ve taken part before, this election gives you the chance to influence decisions that shape life in Wales.
What is the Senedd?
What is the Senedd?The Senedd is the Welsh Parliament. It is separate from the UK Government and has powers to make decisions on devolved issues. These areas include.
- Education
- Health Services
- Housing and local communities
- Public transport
- Climate and the environment
All of these areas can affect your daily life, and if you are 16 or over, you have the right to have your say on who makes these decisions.
This year’s Senedd election is very different from previous ones. Key changes include:
🔹 16 new constituencies- Wales now has 16 larger constituencies, each electing 6 Members of the Senedd (MSs) using a closed‑list proportional representation system.
🔹 More Members- The Senedd will grow from 60 to 96 Members, which aims to improve scrutiny and representation.
🔹 A new voting system- Instead of voting for a constituency MS and a regional MS, you will now cast one vote for a party list in your constituency.
These changes are designed to make the Senedd more effective and more representative.
What do I do at the polling station?
In the 2026 Senedd election, you will have one vote for a party or an independent candidate, and each constituency will elect six Members of the Senedd (MSs) using proportional representation.
You must register to vote by April 20th
You must register to vote by April 20thYou can register to vote in a Senedd election if you:
- Are 16 or older
- Live in Wales
- Are a British citizen, Irish citizen, or a qualifying Commonwealth or foreign citizen living in Wales
Even if you are not 16 yet, you can sometimes register early at age 14 or 15, so you are ready to vote when you turn 16. You do not need ID to register.
How to register
The easiest way is online at Register to vote – GOV.UK
You will usually need:
- Your name and address
- Your date of birth
- Your National Insurance number (if you have one)
The form normally takes about 5 minutes to complete.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LgJeum_k0o
Do I have to vote in person?
No, as well as voting in person at a polling station, you can register to vote by post or enable someone to vote on your behalf as a proxy.
Important deadlines
You must register before the registration deadline, which is April 20th.
You must have registered to vote before midnight on 20 April 2026 in order to be able to apply for postal or proxy votes for the upcoming Senedd election.
If you miss the deadline, you won’t be able to vote in that election.
The deadline for applying for a postal vote is 5pm on 21 April 2026.
The deadline for applying to vote by proxy is 5pm on 28 April 2026.
The counting of the ballots will take place the day following the election. Results can be found on the Etholiad homepage as soon as they are available.
✔️ Tip for young voters:
Before voting, it’s a good idea to:
- Read party manifestos
- Compare policies
- Watch debates or school resources about the election
Your vote helps you to have a voice on things that really matter to you in Wales. So register now and use your vote on May 7th 2026.
How can I find out more?
There are lots of resources available for young people. These range from how to register to vote, to information about the Senedd and the forthcoming election.
Senedd election: Registering and voting
https://www.childcomwales.org.uk/2026-senedd-election-resources/
https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/resources/resources-educators/resources-senedd-election-2026
https://hwb.gov.wales/news/articles/0f90aa0d-7c4d-45da-a719-6bf59c743a43