Senedd Elections

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What is Senedd Elections 2026?

The Senedd is Wales’ parliament. It is a democratically elected body that represents the people of Wales.

Important Infomation

The Senedd is responsible for making laws that affect everyday life in Wales in areas such as education, healthcare and transport. Other matters like defence and immigration are decided by the UK Parliament in Westminster. The Senedd also has certain tax-making powers and oversees the work of the Welsh Government.

Members of the Senedd (MSs) are elected in Senedd elections. The party (or group of parties) with the most votes forms the Welsh Government, and the leader of the government becomes the First Minister for Wales. The next election will take place on 7th May.

The Senedd has recently undergone major reform, and from 2026, Wales will be split into 16 voting areas called constituencies. Each constituency will elect 6 members. The Senedd now uses a more proportional voting system, which means that every vote plays a part in deciding which parties win seats. This makes it more likely that at least one member will be from the party you support and share your views on a particular issue.

Why you should Vote

As a resident of Wales, this is your chance to shape the Wales you live in. Decisions made in the Senedd can influence rent pressures, funding for universities, cost of living and local services, so voting is a way to have a say on these matters. Young people vote less than older generations which means politicians often prioritise older voters. If students do not show up, student issues do not get attention.

Who can Vote?

Anyone aged 16 and over who lives in Wales can vote in Senedd election. British, Irish, EU citizens and international students living in Wales are all eligible to vote. You do not have to have grown up in Wales or identify as Welsh to vote. If you reside in Wales, including if you have a student address in Wales, you can vote.

Registering to Vote

You must register to vote to be able to vote in the election on 7th May. It is simple to do, and it only takes 5 minutes. You can register to vote online on the UK government website.

If you think you are already registered, you can check online via the UK government website. The deadline to register to vote is midnight on 20th April.

FAQ's

Do I need ID to vote?

No, you do not need ID to vote.

I am an international student. Can I vote?

Yes, international students who reside in Wales can vote, as long as they are registered.

NUS has developed a free, online tool for international students to check if they are eligible to vote or not, check it out here.

Can I only register to vote at one address?

No, students are allowed to register to vote at more than one address. However, you can only vote at one address. If you are a student who splits your time between their term-time and home addresses, you can register at both.

What is my constituency?

You can only vote in the constituency you live in and are registered in. Once you have registered to vote, you will receive a polling card in the post. This will tell you where to go to vote and at what date and time. You can also find your constituency via the Senedd’s constituency finder map.

How does voting work?

On election day, head to your local polling station. Polling stations will be open from 7am-10pm. Once there, you will receive one ballot paper. You have one vote. Simply choose a political party or independent candidate that you think will represent you best, place a cross in the box, and hand in your ballot paper.

There are other ways you can vote:

Postal Vote: This lets you vote in advance by post using a prepaid envelope. To do this, you will need to apply before 21st April at 5pm. You can apply for a postal vote on the UK government website.

Proxy Vote: If you cannot vote in person, you can ask someone you trust to vote on your behalf. They will go to the polling station and submit your vote for you, but you must get their permission first. The deadline to register a proxy vote is 28th April at 5pm. This can be done on the UK government website.

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